Dr Abdullah Cheema, Author at Living Healthier

Overactive thyroid disease or hyperthyroidism is a clinical disorder in which your thyroid gland synthesizes and releases more thyroid hormone than your body needs. Your thyroid gland is in the front of your neck, and the hormones it produces affect almost every part of your body from your nervous system, to your skin, muscles and bones. They play a vital role in controlling how your body utilizes energy, a process known as metabolism. This includes how your heart pumps and even how you use energy and calories. Females and the elderly are more likely to develop overactive thyroid. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism may be not specific and can often mimic other diseases, illnesses and medical conditions. If you have a mild to moderate form of hyperthyroidism, you may hardly notice any sign and symptoms of this disease. However, an overactive thyroid gland often leads to restlessness, discomfort or even disability that interferes with your daily activities or routines. Symptoms to look out for include: 1. Fast Heartbeat (tachycardia) Increased levels of thyroid hormones produced and released from the thyroid gland stimulate the heart to beat more rapidly and more strongly. This results in a fast and rapid heart rate which is called tachycardia. Tachycardia is one the important signs of overactive thyroid. However, awareness of the heart beating within the chest by patients is termed as palpitations. More symptoms on next page... 2. Sudden weight loss. Many people with overactive thyroid often complain of weight loss and lethargy even when their appetite and the type and amount of food they eat remain the same or even increase in quantity. This is mainly due to an increase in the metabolic rate and BMR in patients with hyperthyroid. The chances of weight loss is directly related to the severity of the overactive thyroid. As hyperthyroidism also increases the appetite of patients, some patients may not experience weight loss, and some may actually gain weight, depending on their caloric intake and severity of disease. 3. Increased sensitivity to heat. The thyroid gland is also known as a thermostat for our body, as it helps in regulating our heat and metabolism. Patients with hyperthyroidism are more prone to having heat intolerance and higher body temperatures. It’s one of the key diagnostic features of overactive thyroid disease. This is the reason people suffering from hyperthyroidism also complain of abnormal and increased sweating. 4. Difficulty in sleeping. Insomnia is a condition that occurs when an individual has difficulty going to sleep or sleeping through the night. Chronic insomnia can seriously affect the quality of life of any individual. Patients with hyperthyroidism may find it very hard to fall asleep, stay asleep or sleep comfortably. The good news is if you are suffering from hyperthyroidism but are also diagnosed with insomnia, you may find that it only takes mild to moderate treatments (such as hot baths, reduced caffeine intake, and mild sleeping drugs) to suppress your symptoms. 5. Sweating and Skin Changes. The skin of people with overactive thyroid may become soft, thin, warm, and may flush easily. They may also itch. Spidery veins are also characteristic of this disease and may appear on your cheeks. Your hands and feet may seem sweaty and red. People with hyperthyroidism and Graves’ Disease sometimes develop certain patches on the skin of their lower legs that are flushed, reddened and thickened (pretibial myxoedema), and the hair distribution on the legs may be denser and coarser. Overactive thyroid also results in deficiency of platelets and patients may bruise easily. 6. More frequent bowel movements. Excess levels of thyroid hormones, among its other effects on the gastrointestinal system, may also exert a stimulatory and excitatory effect by means of activation of sympathetic system and results in diarrhea, changes in bowel patterns, especially more frequent bowel movements and weight loss. 7. Fatigue and muscle weakness. Fatigue and muscle weakness are also very important clinical signs of overactive thyroid. Of course we all feel a bit lethargic from time to time and need to rest, but fatigue begins to appear when you cannot sustain energy long enough, especially when compared to previous level of fitness. 8. Changes in menstrual patterns. Many menstrual irregularities may be symptoms of undiagnosed underlying thyroid pathology. Girls who have either very early menarche or very late menstruation should be evaluated and investigated for potential thyroid problems, as thyroid abnormalities can frequently be a cause of early or delayed menstruation and puberty. In addition, any alteration in the menstrual patterns - such as more or less frequent menstrual periods, the onset of substantially lighter or heavier periods, or the lack of periods entirely, should suggest an underlying thyroid disease. Overactive thyroid can also cause missed periods, abnormal menstrual bleeding and in extreme circumstances infertility. 9. Tremors. Hyperthyroidism also results in very fine trembling or tremors in your fingers and hands. T4 and T3 (Thyroid Hormones) increase transmission of synaptic signals. The same central and synaptic stimulus creates a stronger and powerful effect on the muscles and causing fine tremors. 10. Mania. Mania is a mental state that is usually characterized by high volatility, and flights of creativity and extreme energy. It is caused by imbalance of chemical neurotransmitters in the brain, which can be the result of hormonal deregulation or substance abuse. Mania is also a very common and popular symptom of overactive thyroid due to the increased levels of brain chemicals stimulated by abnormal hormone production. Other symptoms on next page... Other symptoms. Some of the other uncommon sign and symptoms of overactive thyroid are swollen neck, increased thirst, high blood pressure, increased libido, decreased blinking, increased irritability, racing thoughts, frequent mood swings and decreased appetite. Getting Help. If you're having any of the above mentioned symptoms of overactive thyroid, see your doctor as soon as possible. Because hyperthyroidism and its symptoms can easily be treated and a proper diagnosis is a first major step towards getting the correct treatment. Click here to find out about underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism

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