Читать книгу The Healthy Thyroid: What you can do to prevent and alleviate thyroid imbalance - Patsy Westcott - Страница 59

Hyperthyroidism may also be primary, when something goes wrong with the thyroid itself, or secondary, when the fault lies with the hypothalamus or pituitary.

Primary hyperthyroidism can be due to:

• Graves’ disease, caused by autoimmunity (see page 50)

• Thyroiditis (inflammation of the thyroid), caused by autoimmunity (see page 52)

• Nodular thyroid disease, for example, toxic multinodular goitre (Plummer’s disease), characterized by the development of multiple lumps, or a ‘hot’ nodule (toxic adenoma), where a single lump becomes overactive (see page 57)

• Postpartum thyroiditis, wherein problems develop after giving birth (see Chapter 9)

• Excess iodine either from the diet (from food or, in some instances, herbal supplements) or from medications (such as the drug lithium, used to treat manic-depression; amiodarone, a drug used to treat irregular heart beat; and interferon, used to treat certain types of cancer)

Table 3.5 Symptoms suggestive of hyperthyroidism

You may experience Anxiety Constant hunger Difficulty carrying heavy objects or standing up Dislike of heat Frequent bowel motions Greasy skin Increased sex drive Increased sweating Insomnia Itchy, inflamed eyes Loss of muscle tone Lump in your throat when you swallow Menstrual problems, such as missed periods or cycle changes Mood swings More hair in your hair brush Muscle weakness Overactive mind Problems doing up collars or necklaces Racing heart Restlessness Shortness of breath Tendency to flush Tremor

Others may notice Agitation and nervousness Argumentative Changes in your eyes Don’t look as fit as before Hands are shaking Moist palms Spotty face Swollen neck Very moody Very talkative Weight loss

Your doctor may detect Atrial fibrillation (irregular heart rhythm) Goitre Low blood pressure Rapid pulse Thyroid bruit

• Overdosage of thyroxin treatment for hypothyroidism. On rare occasions, hyperthyroidism can be a consequence of people with an underactive thyroid accidentally or intentionally taking too much medication, a condition known as thyrotoxicosis factitia.

Secondary hyperthyroidism can be brought on by:

• Faulty pituitary function, on rare occasions due to a pituitary tumour, leading to an abnormal production of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), thereby causing the thyroid to produce too much hormone

• Cancer-related problems. In extremely rare instances, hyperthyroidism may be the result of a thyroid cancer that has spread.