Hyperthyroidism
The term used to describe a thyroid that is producing too much of the thyroid hormone is an overactive thyroid or Hyperthyroidism. There are many symptoms to this condition beginning with fatigue. You can feel tired if your thyroid is acting up although that can also fit with many other illnesses. Frequent bowel movements is another symptom on the list along with a difficulty in concentrating. It is possible that your thyroid gland has enlarged and this is called goiter. You could also have an intolerance to heat and your appetite seems to have increased. In women, they can have menstrual periods that are irregular. There can also be an increase in sweating and you can feel nervous or restless for no reason that you can think of. Weight loss is another symptom and weight gain is rarely seen with this condition.
The list goes on and on, here are some more symptoms. You can have hair loss, diarrhea and clammy skin and men could see a development in their breasts. High blood pressure can also be a symptom and you could experience a forceful or fast heart beat. You might have itching all over your body or eyes that protrude. Treatment depends on how severe the symptoms are. There are medications for anti thyroid or surgery to take out the thyroid and radioactive iodine which will then destroy the thyroid.
There are about twenty thousand cases reported each year of cancer of the thyroid gland. Thyroid cancer symptoms can appear in anyone although certain groups of people do show a greater risk. These groups are: older people, women, caucasians, those with a family history and anyone who has had exposure to radiation. This type of cancer is rarely seen in children and more often in those over thirty years of age. Research tells us the women and three times more likely to develop this cancer than men and anyone who has had radiation therapy or been part of a nuclear fallout will have a higher risk. Early stages of thyroid cancer will show no symptoms. Thyroid nodules can be felt but these are rarely cancerous. If you do have cancer of the thyroid then you will notice trouble with swallowing. Your voice will be hoarse and you will feel pain in your neck or throat. Breathing might be difficult and enlarged lymph nodes might be present in the neck. Ninety-nine percent of nodes are benign.
