Hyperthyroidism (Overactive Thyroid)

What is hyperthyroidism?

What are the symptoms of hyperthyroidism?

• Being restless, nervous, emotional, irritable, sleeping poorly, and 'always on the go'.
• Tremor of the hands.
• Losing weight despite an increased appetite.
• Palpitations.
• Sweating, a dislike of heat and an increased thirst.
• Diarrhoea or needing to go to the toilet to pass faeces more often than normal.
• Shortness of breath.
• Skin problems such as hair thinning and itch.
• Menstrual changes - often the periods become very light or infrequent.
• Tiredness and muscle weakness may be a feature.
• A swelling of the thyroid gland in the neck (goitre) may occur.
• Eye problems (if you have Graves' disease. See below.)

Most people with hyperthyroidism do not have all the symptoms, but a combination of two or more is common. Symptoms usually develop slowly over several weeks. All the symptoms can be caused by other problems, and so the diagnosis may not be obvious at first. Symptoms may be mild to start with, but become worse as the level of thyroxine in the blood gradually rises.

Possible complications

If you have untreated hyperthyroidism:

• You have an increased risk of developing heart problems such as atrial fibrillation (an abnormal heart rhythm), cardiomyopathy (a weakened heart), angina, and heart failure.
• If you are pregnant, you have an increased risk of developing some pregnancy complications. For example: miscarriage, eclampsia, premature labour, low birth weight, stillbirth, and possibly congenital abnormality.
• You have an increased risk of developing osteoporosis (fragile bones).

With treatment, the outlook is good. Most of the symptoms and risks of complications go with successful treatment.

Who gets hyperthyroidism?

About 2 in 100 women, and 2 in 1000 men, develop hyperthyroidism at some stage of their life. It can occur at any age.

What are the causes of hyperthyroidism ?

There are various causes which include the following:

Graves' disease

Graves' disease is the commonest cause. It can occur at any age, but is most common in women aged 20 to 40. It can affect anyone, but there is often a family history of the condition.

Graves' disease is an autoimmune disease. The immune system normally makes antibodies to attack bacteria, viruses, and other 'germs'. In autoimmune diseases, the immune system makes antibodies against tissues of the body. If you have Graves' disease, you make antibodies that attach to the thyroid gland. These stimulate the thyroid to make lots of thyroxine. It is thought that something triggers the immune system to make these antibodies. The 'trigger' is not known.

In Graves' disease the thyroid gland usually enlarges, which causes a swelling in the neck (goitre). The eyes are also affected in about half of cases. If they are affected, the eyes are 'pushed' forward and look more prominent (proptosis). This can cause discomfort and watering of the eyes. Problems with eye muscles may also occur and lead to double vision. It is not clear why eye symptoms occur in some people who have Graves' disease. They may be due to the antibodies affecting the tissues around the eye.

Thyroid nodules

This is a less common cause of hyperthyroidism. Thyroid nodules are lumps which can develop in the thyroid gland. It is not clear why they develop. They are usually benign (non-cancerous) but contain abnormal thyroid tissue.

The abnormal thyroid tissue in the thyroid nodules does not respond to the normal controlling system which ensures that you make just the right amount of thyroxine. Therefore, if you have a thyroid nodule, you may make more than normal amounts of thyroxine.

• Sometimes only one nodule forms. This is called a 'toxic solitary adenoma'. This most commonly occurs in people aged between 30 and 50.
• The thyroid may become generally lumpy or nodular. This most commonly occurs in older people, and is called a 'toxic multi-nodular goitre'.

Note: the word "toxic" above relating to adenomas or multinodular goitres does not mean "poisonous". It is just one of those medical words which refers to the hyperthyroidism.

Other causes

There are several other rare causes of hyperthyroidism. For example, some people who take the medicines amiodarone and lithium develop hyperthyroidism. There are various other rare diseases that result in excess thyroxine being made.

How is hyperthyroidism diagnosed?

A blood test can diagnose hyperthyroidism. A normal blood test will also rule it out if symptoms suggest that it may be a possible diagnosis. Usually, both of the following are measured in a blood sample:

• Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). This hormone is made in the pituitary gland in the brain. It is released into the bloodstream. It stimulates the thyroid gland to make thyroxine. If the level of thyroxine in the blood is high, then the pituitary releases less TSH. Therefore, a low level of TSH means the thyroid gland is overactive and is making too much thyroxine.
• Thyroxine (T4). A high level of T4 confirms hyperthyroidism.

Sometimes the result of the tests are 'borderline'. For example, a normal T4 but with a low TSH. Other tests are sometimes done to clarify the situation and the cause. For example, another blood test called T3 is sometimes helpful and an ultrasound scan of the thyroid or a thyroid scan may be done if you have a nodular goitre. Also, if tests are borderline one option is to repeat the tests a few weeks later, as sometimes borderline tests are due to another illness. Other tests may be done if a rare cause of hyperthyroidism is suspected.

What are the treatments for hyperthyroidism?

The main aim of treatment is to reduce the level of thyroxine to normal. Other problems such as a large goitre (thyroid swelling) or associated eye problems may also need treatment. Factors such as the underlying cause of the problem, your age, and the size of any goitre are taken into account to decide on the best treatment plan. Treatment options include the following.

Medicines - usually carbimazole

Medicines can reduce the amount of thyroxine made by the overactive thyroid gland. The most common medicine used in the UK is carbimazole. Carbimazole does not affect the thyroxine which is already made and stored, but reduces further production. Therefore, it may take 4 to 8 weeks of treatment for your thyroxine level to come down to normal.

The dose of carbimazole needed to keep the thyroxine level normal varies from person to person. Carbimazole is usually taken for 12-18 months at first. After this, in about half of cases, the condition will have settled down and the carbimazole can be stopped. If the condition flares up again some time in the future, a further course may be needed. In about half of cases, carbimazole needs to be continued long-term to control symptoms. A different treatment may then be a better option if you do not want to take carbimazole long-term.

Warning: carbimazole can, rarely, affect the white blood cells which fight infection. If you develop a fever, sore throat, mouth ulcers, or other symptoms of infection whilst taking carbimazole, stop taking the tablets immediately and see a doctor urgently for a blood test.

Radio-iodine

This involves taking a drink, or swallowing a capsule, which contains radioactive iodine. The main use of iodine in the body is to make thyroxine. Therefore, the radioactive iodine builds up in the thyroid gland. As the radioactivity is concentrated in the thyroid gland, it destroys some thyroid tissue which reduces the amount of thyroxine that you make. The dose of radioactivity to the rest of the body is very low and is not dangerous. However, it is not suitable if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Also, after treatment, women should not become pregnant for at least six months, and men are advised not to father children for at least four months.

Also, following radio-iodine treatment you should avoid prolonged contact with others for a specified time. This may be for 2-4 weeks, depending on the amount of radio-iodine you receive. The aim is to limit the exposure of radioactivity to others. For the specified period you will be advised to take precautions such as:

• Limit contact with children. If you have children or have a job where you have contact with children you should discuss this with the specialist before treatment.
• Stay more than an arm’s length away from other people.
• Sleep alone.
• Avoid going to places like cinemas, theatres, pubs and restaurants where you may be in close contact with other people.
• Take some time off work if your work involves close contact with other people.

Your specialist will give detailed advice regarding these precautions.

Thyroid replacement therapy

It can be difficult for a doctor to judge just the right dose of carbimazole, or just the right amount of radio-iodine, to give in each case. Too much treatment may make the thyroxine level go too low. Not enough treatment means the level remains higher than normal. Regular blood tests are needed to check on the thyroxine level.

One option is to deliberately take a high dose of carbimazole each day, or to take a one-off high dose of radio-iodine. This stops the thyroid gland making any thyroxine. But, you can take a daily dose of thyroxine tablets to keep the blood level of thyroxine normal. This 'over-treatment' and taking replacement thyroxine ('block and replace') is a popular option.

Surgery

This involves removing part of the thyroid gland. It may be a good option if you have a large goitre (thyroid swelling) which is causing problems in the neck. If too much thyroid is removed it is not usually a problem as you can take thyroxine tablets to keep the thyroxine level normal. It is usually a safe operation, but as with all operations there is a small risk.

Treatment for eye problems

You may need to see an eye specialist if you develop the eye problems of Graves' disease. Relatively minor symptoms affect the eyes in about half of people with Graves' disease. Measures such as artificial tears, sunglasses, and eye protectors whilst you sleep may be sufficient to help.

However, about 1 in 20 people with Graves' disease have severe eye changes. Treatment can then be more difficult and may include surgery, radiation treatment, or steroid tablets.

Beta-blocker medicines

Some people take a beta-blocker medicine (for example, propranolol, atenolol, etc) for a few weeks whilst the level of thyroxine is reduced gradually by one of the above treatments. Beta-blockers can block some of the effects of a high level of thyroxine. In particular they help to reduce the symptoms of tremor, palpitations, sweating, agitation, and anxiety.

Follow up

Regular checks are recommended, even after you finish a successful treatment. The most important thing is to have a yearly blood test to check that you have the right level of thyroid hormone (thyroxine) in your blood. Your GP may do this test. This is because some people become hyperthyroid again sometime in the future. Others who have been treated successfully develop an underactive thyroid in the future. If this occurs it can usually be treated easily with thyroxine tablets.

Further help and advice

British Thyroid Foundation

PO Box 97, Clifford, Wetherby, West Yorkshire, LS23 6XD
Tel: 01423 709 707 Web: www.btf-thyroid.org

Thyroid Eye Disease (TED) Charitable Trust

PO BOX 2954, Calne, Wiltshire, SN11 8WR
Tel: 0844 800 8133 Web: www.tedct.co.uk