What are the Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism?

The thyroid gland produces two key hormones, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). These hormones play a crucial role in regulating body temperature, energy level, metabolism, and heart function. Overproduction of these hormones leads to hyperthyroidism or an overactive thyroid, which can cause various health-related issues.

Understanding the symptoms of hyperthyroidism can help manage the condition effectively. Read on to learn about the hyperthyroidism symptoms, their implications, and diagnosis methods.

Common Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism

The common symptoms of hyperthyroidism include:

• Nervousness and Anxiety

An overactive thyroid speeds up the metabolism of the body, overstimulating the entire nervous system. Hyperactivity of the nervous system leads to anxiety, sleeplessness, irritation, and other nervous system disorders in one’s body.

• Increased Heart Rate

Thyroid overstimulation can cause multiple disturbances and disorders in the heart rhythm. One such disorder is sinus tachycardia. It is associated with an abnormal increase in the heart rate, which can be more than 100 bps (beats per minute).

Physical Effects of Hyperthyroidism 

Hyperthyroidism also affects the physical aspect of one’s body, leading to the following symptoms:

• Weight Loss

Unexplained weight loss is one of the common symptoms of hyperthyroidism. The increased metabolism due to the overproduction of hormones speeds up body functions. Normal metabolic activity stores energy by burning calories and creating tissue. 

However, increased metabolic activity uses up the energy and destroys tissue due to higher levels of T3 and T4. Thus, one may experience weight loss despite an increase in appetite when diagnosed with hyperthyroidism.

• Heat Intolerance

Over-secretion of thyroxine (T4) causes hyperthyroidism. As a result, the metabolism rate in a person increases, raising the body temperature.

• Sweating

In hyperthyroidism, patients experience excessive sweating of the body, armpits, face, neck, and even palms. An overactive thyroid affects the ability of a body to regulate temperature. Thus, the person with hyperthyroidism experiences night sweats and sweating of all body parts due to poor heat regulation.

Muscular and Skeletal Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism also affects the skeletal and muscular features of a person, causing the following symptoms:

• Tremors

In hyperthyroidism, the energy production in each body cell increases due to a high metabolic rate. This leads to excessive nervous stimuli that can cause tremors in the hand. The symptoms may include either unnoticeable shaking of the hand or over-shaking.

• Muscle Weakness

Myopathy or muscle weakness in hyperthyroidism may occur due to a high level of muscular breakdown and overuse of greater muscle energy. As a result, one can experience muscle pain and weakness in various parts of the body, including the upper arm, shoulder, hip, etc.

Gastrointestinal Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism

Here are some of the hyperthyroidism symptoms of gastrointestinal issues:

• Increased Appetite

Excessive hormone production increases the metabolic activity of a person diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. This causes the food to pass quickly through the digestive tract, causing quick digestion. As a result, a person feels hungry frequently.

• Changes in Bowel Movements

Another effect of hypothyroidism is that it increases intestinal movements, manipulating a person to visit the lavatory frequently. The increase in bowel movements can lead to irritation of muscles and tissues around the rectum and anus. It can also cause complications like anal fistulas, rectal bleeding, or haemorrhoids. 

Skin and Hair Changes in Hyperthyroidism

The effects of an overactive thyroid can even damage one’s skin and hair. Here are the symptoms to look for:

• Thinning Hair

The hormonal imbalances in one’s body affect the hair follicles and disrupt the hair regrowth cycle. This can cause one’s hair to break or prone to thinning over time. 

• Skin Changes

Incorrect hormone levels in the body can cause skin thinning, warm and moist skin, and more changes. Once the skin gets thin, it can develop various diseases, rashes, and bruises.

Emotional and Cognitive Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism

The emotional symptoms of hyperthyroidism are as follows:

• Mood Swings

In individuals with hyperthyroidism, mood swings are common due to abnormal hormone secretion. Patients may experience rapid shifts in mood that can be challenging to manage.

• Fatigue

Despite feeling anxious or restless, many people with hyperthyroidism report fatigue. This occurs due to the body's increasing activities, which can be exhausting over time.

Hyperthyroidism Symptoms Specific to Women

Over-secretion of hormones affects the female reproductive organ, leading to the following symptoms:

• Menstrual Irregularities

Women with hyperthyroidism often experience menstrual irregularities, including lighter periods or missed cycles. Such irregularities are caused by hormonal disruptions that affect reproductive health.

• Fertility Issues

An overactive thyroid increases the prolactin levels in one’s body, preventing the ovum or egg from releasing and travelling through the fallopian tube and completing the fertilisation procedure. Thus, females face difficulty in conceiving. 

Diagnosis of Hyperthyroidism

Healthcare providers follow the below diagnosis methods to determine hyperthyroidism:

• Physical Examination

In physical assessment, healthcare providers check for symptoms such as goitre (enlarged thyroid) and signs of nervousness or tremors.

• Blood Tests

For an effective diagnostic process, doctors suggest blood tests. They assess levels of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Low TSH levels and elevated T3 and T4 confirm hyperthyroidism.

Another method to diagnose hyperthyroidism is the imaging tests that include ultrasound, radioactive iodine uptake test (RAIU), and thyroid scan.

Conclusion

Hyperthyroidism presents a range of symptoms that can significantly affect an individual's quality of life. Diagnosing the symptoms at an early stage is crucial for managing this thyroid disorder. It can also help prevent complications such as heart problems or osteoporosis through timely treatments.

Understanding hyperthyroidism is essential for anyone experiencing these symptoms or those who have a family history of thyroid disorders.