In older adults, hyperthyroidism is sometimes mistaken for depression link or dementia link. Older adults may have different symptoms, such as loss of appetite or withdrawal from people, than younger adults with hyperthyroidism.
They'll ask about your symptoms and if they think you might have a thyroid problem, they can arrange for a blood test to check how well your thyroid is working. If the blood test shows that you have an overactive thyroid, you may be referred for further tests to identify the cause.
Many diseases and conditions can cause hyperthyroidism, including: Graves disease (most common cause of hyperthyroidism) Inflammation (thyroiditis) of the thyroid due to viral infections, some medicines, or after pregnancy (common) Taking too much thyroid hormone (common)
Mild hyperthyroidism may get better on its own, without treatment. In most cases, though, the symptoms get worse without treatment. Taking medication is sometimes enough to keep the symptoms under control.
Symptoms of hyperthyroidism
mood swings – such as anxiety, irritability and nervousness. difficulty sleeping (insomnia) feeling tired all the time (fatigue) muscle weakness.
Hyperthyroidism can make you feel unwell, especially when your thyroid hormone levels are too high. The good news is that hyperthyroidism is a relatively simple condition to diagnose, and the treatment options available tend to be highly effective.
An underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) is where your thyroid gland doesn't produce enough hormones. Common signs of an underactive thyroid are tiredness, weight gain and feeling depressed.
The production, conversion, and uptake of thyroid hormone in the body involves several steps. A malfunction in any of these steps can cause hypothyroid symptoms, but may not show up on standard lab tests. All cases of hypothyroidism do not share the same cause—and, as you might guess, they require different treatments.
Because of the way hyperthyroidism works in the body, it can cause symptoms that closely mimic symptoms of anxiety. Sometimes, it can even be associated with panic attacks. For most people with anxiety, however, it's very unlikely that their anxiety symptoms are caused by an underlying thyroid condition.
Still, many thyroid conditions can easily be managed with proper medical attention, as long as the patient is promptly, properly diagnosed. Unfortunately, health care providers may err in detecting thyroid disease for a variety of reasons.
There is currently not enough evidence to show that anxiety can directly cause hyperthyroidism. Anxiety and hyperthyroidism are often found together, and anxiety is actually a common symptom of hyperthyroidism.
Thyroid anxiety symptoms
Anxiety symptoms in thyroid disorders may include the following: racing heart. sleeping difficulties. irritability.
Dizziness, palpitations, shortness of breath, and lightheadedness are all symptoms of hyperthyroidism. Thyroid disorders like hyperthyroidism often run in families, so you may consider thyroid testing if you or a family member experiences symptoms.
Weight gain from hyperthyroidism is uncommon but possible. It often starts after treatment begins as you regain the weight you lost from the condition. However, many other factors can cause weight gain. If you have hyperthyroidism and are gaining weight, speak to your doctor to determine the exact cause.
People with hypothyroidism may also have headaches, including pulsing pain, on both sides of the head. In most cases, the headaches subside after the person receives effective treatment for hypothyroidism. either or both of the following: significant, simultaneous worsening of the headaches and hypothyroidism.
Common signs
An overactive thyroid can also cause the following physical signs: a swelling in your neck caused by an enlarged thyroid gland (goitre) an irregular and/or unusually fast heart rate (palpitations) twitching or trembling.
Subclinical hyperthyroidism can be divided into two categories: Mild: Low but detectable TSH level — usually 0.1 to 0.4 mIU/L. This applies to 65% to 75% of people with subclinical hyperthyroidism. Severe: TSH level is less than 0.1 mIU/L.
Natural remedies for hyperthyroidism include a whole foods-based diet free of processed foods, avoiding common food allergens and iodine sources, regular exercise and more. If you opt to take medication for hyperthyroidism, it's important that you are aware of the side effects.
Heart problems
Over time, severe, untreated hyperthyroidism can lead to an irregular heartbeat, which in turn can cause blood clots, heart failure, and stroke. Treatment for hyperthyroidism is essential for preventing heart problems in people with Graves' disease, says Mikhael.
Experts have suggested that the standard TSH range could be missing as many as 75% of people with low thyroid.