Hyperthyroidism

Alternative names:

overactive thyroid; thyrotoxicosis

Symptoms:

• weight loss
• increased appetite
• nervousness
• restlessness
• heat intolerance
• increased sweating
• fatigue
• muscle cramps
• frequent bowel movements
• menstrual irregularities in women
• goiter may be present

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

• weakness
• tongue problems
• thirst, excessive
• tearing, increased
• sleeping difficulty
• skin, clammy
• skin, abnormally dark or light
• skin blushing/flushing
• pulse, bounding
• paleness
• nausea & vomiting
• loss of muscle function/feeling
• muscle atrophy
• movement, uncoordinated
• menstruation, absent
• itching, overall
• heartbeat sensations
• hand tremor
• hair loss
• diarrhea
• breast development in men
• bone pain or tenderness
• blood pressure, high
• protruding eyes (exophthalmos)

Signs and tests:

Vital signs (temperature, pulse, rate of breathing, blood pressure) show increased heart rate. Physical examination reveals thyroid enlargement or goiter.

Laboratory tests that evaluate thyroid function:

• serum TSH is decreased
• serum T3, T4, thyroid resin uptake are elevated

This disease may also alter the results of the following tests:

• vitamin B-12
• visual field
• TSI
• triglycerides
• RT3U
• radioactive iodine uptake
• glucose test
• cholesterol test
• antithyroglobulin antibody
• ACE levels