Hyperthyroidism — How to Spot It and What to Do

Feeling jittery, sweating more, losing weight without trying, or your heart racing for no reason? Those can be signs of hyperthyroidism — an overactive thyroid gland making too much hormone. This page gives clear, practical info on what causes it, how doctors check for it, and the main treatments you’ll hear about.

Common signs and causes

Symptoms vary, but the usual ones are: unexplained weight loss, fast or irregular heartbeat, feeling anxious or irritable, trouble sleeping, tremors, heat intolerance, and more frequent bowel movements. Women may notice lighter or absent periods.

Causes include autoimmune disease (Graves’ disease is the most common), thyroid nodules that produce extra hormone, inflammation of the thyroid (thyroiditis), and, less often, too much iodine or certain medications. Age and family history matter — if close relatives had thyroid problems, raise your hand when you see a doctor.

How doctors diagnose hyperthyroidism

Diagnosis starts with blood tests. Doctors measure TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) and free T4/T3 levels. Low TSH with high T4 or T3 usually points to hyperthyroidism. Sometimes they order antibody tests to check for Graves’ disease or an ultrasound to look at the gland.

Other tests include a radioactive iodine uptake scan to see how much iodine the thyroid uses. That helps tell whether the gland is overactive everywhere or just in nodules.

Treatment choices depend on your age, symptoms, cause, and whether you’re pregnant. Here are the main options so you know what to expect:

• Antithyroid drugs — Methimazole and propylthiouracil (PTU) reduce hormone production. They’re often first-line, especially for younger people or when surgery isn’t suitable. Watch for side effects like rash, liver issues, or low white blood cell counts, and report symptoms to your doctor right away.
• Radioactive iodine — This treatment shrinks the thyroid over time and often leads to hypothyroidism (low thyroid), which is then treated with regular levothyroxine. It’s common in adults who don’t respond to meds.
• Surgery — Partial or total thyroid removal is an option when there are large nodules, suspicion of cancer, or when other treatments aren’t possible. Surgery requires skilled care and sometimes lifelong thyroid hormone replacement.
• Symptom control — Beta blockers like propranolol ease rapid heartbeat, tremor, and anxiety while other treatments take effect.

Pregnancy changes the approach: some drugs are safer than others, and uncontrolled hyperthyroidism can harm both mother and baby. Always tell your care team if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

Living with hyperthyroidism often means regular blood tests, occasional medication adjustments, and monitoring for side effects. With proper care, most people return to normal activity and feel much better. If you suspect hyperthyroidism, book a visit and get tested — early treatment keeps things simpler and safer.