What is hyperthyroidism? Hyperthy...

What is hyperthyroidism?

Hyperthyroidism (say: hi-per-THI-royd-iz-um) is when you have an overactive thyroid. The thyroid is a gland in your neck (see the figure). It makes a hormone that helps your body's metabolism (the way your corpse uses food and energy). An overactive thyroid can cause weight los nervous feelings, shakiness, a fast heartbeat, and other riddles If hyperthyroidism is not treated, it can mar your bones and heart and cause other health problems

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by what means is hyperthyroidism treated?

The best treatment for hyperthyroidism hangs on the cause of your hyperthyroidism, your age, the size of your thyroid gland, and your general health. You and your doctor can pick the best treatment for you.

* Beta blocker Medicines called beta blocker can help if you have the shakes or a fast heartbeat. Beta blocker may be the merely medicine you need if you have thyroiditis (say: thi-royd-EYE-tis) because this disease usually goe away forward its own. You may not be able to take a beta blocker if you have heart or lung problems

* Radioactive iodine. Radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy is the most numerous common treatment for hyperthyroidism. It works well and is safe. It will not make you more likely to commit to memory cancer or stop you from having children. nevertheless you should not use RAI if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. You should wait to learn pregnant for six months after the treatment. If you are taking any medicine, narrate your doctor right away because any medicines must be stopped before you have RAI. For about three days after treatment, you should double flush the toilet and wash your hands a destiny This will stop radiation in your material part from affecting others. You also should not have clog contact with young children and pregnant women during this time.

* Antithyroid remedys Antithyroid drugs (ATDs) stop the thyroid gland from making hormones. ATDs are used in children, pregnant women and folks who do not want RAI therapy. brace ATDs available in this political division are methimazole (say: meth-IM-ah-zole) (brand name: Tapazole) and propylthiouracil (say: pro-pil-thy-o-YOOR-a-sil). Methimazole is used mostly often because it is easier to take and causes fewer side consequences Propylthiouracil is safer in pregnancy and during breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor right away if you memorize a bad sore throat, a high excitement or yellowing of the skin when taking an ATD. ATDs work for principally people and are less likely to cause an underactive thyroid gland than RAI therapy. However, there is a chance that your hyperthyroidism will answer after the medicine is stopped, especially if you vapor or have a very large thyroid gland.

* Surgery Surgery may be an option if you have a surpassingly large thyroid gland that is pressing forward other parts of your neck or if you are pregnant and cannot use ATDs. Surgery expenses more and is riskier than the other treatments. Surgery usually specifics hyperthyroidism but causes an underactive gland in any patients.

How prolonged until I am cured?

Your doctor will ne to check your thyroid regularly for the cessation of your life to be infallible your hyperthyroidism does not be derived back. If you get an underactive thyroid gland after treatment, and are taking thyroid hormone, you still ne to be watched closely

COPYRIGHT 2005 American Academy of Family Physicians

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