Where hypothyroidism is a slowing down of the thyroid gland, hyperthyroidism is the speeding up. In other words, the thyroid gland is producing too much in the way of hormones.
Some causes of an overactive thyroid are:
- Graves Disease
- Nodules in the thyroid gland (which could become cancerous)
- Too much iodine
- Viral infection that inflames the thyroid
- Receiving too much thyroid hormone
Some of the symptoms:
- Restlessness and nervousness
- Weight loss
- Feeling tired
- Increased bowel movement
- Large appetite
- Hair loss
- Loss of sleep
- High blood pressure
- Nausea
There are typically 3 treatments that can be followed in order to balance out this type of thyroid disease. Surgery is one of the most extreme, and they will typically remove all or part of the gland.
Radioactive Iodine is the 2nd most extreme and it basically destroys the thyroid gland so that it stops producing hormones.
Lastly, Antithyroid medications are the most common treatment and it usually works faster than radioactive iodine. Another positive aspect of this type of medication is that it does not destroy your thyroid gland, it just regulates the release of hormones.
In almost half of the people taking antithyroid medications their symptoms typically disappear within 1 to 2 years. If the symptoms come back after going off of the drug, doctors will often recommend radioactive iodine. One of the problems with extended use of antithyroid’s is that hypothyroidism can develop, which is another condition itself to deal with.
There are alternative therapies to manage an overactive thyroid. Diet, for instance can be helpful because some foods will act to depress the thyroid gland.
Some of those foods being:
- Cabbage
- Mustard greens
- Spinach
- Turnips
- Cauliflower
- Brussels sprouts
- Soy
- Kale
- Broccoli
Calcium and magnesium are also beneficial for proper thyroid function, but whatever you choose to do you should consult a doctor so that she can properly measure your TSH levels.
