Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is a disease in which the gland produces excessive amounts of thyroid hormones. Thyrotoxicosis is a condition that occurs due to elevated levels of thyroid hormones of any cause and therefore includes hyperthyroidism. Some, however, use the terms interchangeably. Signs and symptoms vary between people and may include irritability, muscle weakness, sleeping problems, a fast heartbeat, heat intolerance, , enlargement of the thyroid, hand tremor, and weight loss. Symptoms are typically less severe in the elderly and during pregnancy. An uncommon but life-threatening complication is thyroid storm in which an event such as an results in worsening symptoms such as confusion and a high temperature; this often results in death. The opposite is , when the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid .
Underlined words are explained — tap any of them.
Symptoms — what it feels like
- ·Irritability, muscle weakness, sleeping problems, fast heartbeat, heat intolerance, , enlargement of the , weight loss
Causes — why it happens
- ·Graves' disease, multinodular goiter, toxic adenoma, of the , eating too much iodine, too much synthetic thyroid
Treatment
- ·Radioiodine therapy, medications,
Complications
- · storm