Symptoms of "Hyper" Thyroidism
Hyperthyroidism has many symptoms that can vary from
person to person. Some common symptoms of
- Nervousness or irritability
- Fatigue or muscle weakness
- Rapid and irregular heartbeat
- Goiter , which is an enlarged thyroid that may cause your neck to look swollen
Who is likely to develop hyperthyroidism?
Women are five to 10 times more likely than men to develop hyperthyroidism.
The American Thyroid Association recommends that adults , particularly women ,
have a blood test to detect thyroid problems every 5 years starting at age 35. Certain factors can increase your chances of developing thyroid disorders. You may need more frequent testing if you - Have had a thyroid problem before , such as goiter or thyroid surgery
- Have pernicious anemia; type 1 diabetes; or primary adrenal insufficiency , a hormonal disorder
- Have a family history of thyroid disease
- Eat large amounts of food containing iodine , such as kelp , or use iodine-containing medications such as amiodarone , a heart medication
- Have been pregnant or delivered a baby within the past 6 months
Getting tested routinely helps uncover thyroid problems-especially subclinical problems. Subclinical means that a person has no apparent symptoms. Some doctors treat subclinical hyperthyroidism immediately; others prefer to leave it untreated but monitor their patients for signs that the condition is worsening.
