Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism (An overactive thyroid)

What is Hyperthyroidism? Hyperthyroidism is often referred to as an overactive thyroid and is a disorder of the thyroid, a small gland located just below the Adams apple. This gland influences many of your bodily functions, such as physical growth and development, puberty, metabolism, organ function, fertility and body temperature. Just how well the thyroid regulates these functions depends on the production of two specific hormones, called T3 and T4. The thyroid works in conjunction with the pituitary gland in the brain. When the level of thyroid hormones drops too low, the gland in the brain produces Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) which tells the thyroid gland to produce more hormones. However, when the thyroid gland produces too much of these hormones, our bodies use energy faster than they should. And because the thyroid controls vital systems such as metabolism and body temperature, an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) will affect the body, causing a variety of related symptoms. Diagnosing Hyperthyroidism A sample of blood is the best screening method of testing for hyperthyroidism. Your health care professional will want to test the levels of T4 and T3 (the thyroid hormones) as well as the levels of TSH in your blood. These blood tests will provide an accurate picture of how the thyroid is functioning. If the doctor feels further tests are necessary they may give a radioactive iodine uptake test. The type of radioactive iodine used for the test will not harm the thyroid or pose any risk. After 24 hours special equipment is then used to measure the amount of radioactivity over the thyroid gland.
Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism symptoms vary and may include the following:

nervousness irritability increased perspiration thinning of your skin fine brittle hair muscular weakness especially involving the upper arms and thighs

shaky hands panic disorder insomnia racing heart more frequent bowel movements weight loss despite a good appetite lighter flow, less frequent menstrual periods But these symptoms are only the tip of the iceberg. There are comprehensive lists of detailed symptoms featured here at the site.

You can use this checklist to bring to your doctor to help aid in getting a proper diagnosis of hyperthyroidism, or as background information in your discussions regarding fine-tuning your dosage so you are at the optimal TSH level for your own level of wellness. My risk factors for hyperthyroidism include: ____ I have a family history of thyroid disease ____ Parent(type of thyroid problem __________________) ____ Grandparent (type of thyroid problem ______________) ____ Sibling (type of thyroid problem __________________) ____ Child (type of thyroid problem __________________) I have had my thyroid "monitored" in the past to watch for changes ____ I had a previous diagnosis of goiters/nodules ____ I currently have a goiter/enlargement in my thyroid and/or thyroid nodules ____ I was treated for hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism in the past ____ I had post-partum thyroiditis or hyperthyroidism during pregnancy in the past ____ I had a temporary thyroiditis in the past ____ I have another autoimmune disease ____ I am pregnant now, or I have had a baby in the past nine months ____ I have a history of miscarriage ____ I have had radioactive iodine in the past due to Graves' Disease/hyperthyroidism ____ I have taken anti-thyroid drugs in the past due to Graves' Disease or a diagnosis of hyperthyroidism

I have the following symptoms of hyperthyroidism, as detailed by the Merck Manual, the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, and the Thyroid Foundation of America ____ My heart feels like it's skipping a beat, racing and I feel like I'm having heart palpitations ____ My pulse is unusually fast ____ My pulse, even when resting or in bed, is high ____ My hands are shaking, I'm having hand tremors ____ I feel hot when others feel cold, I am feeling inappropriately hot or overheated ____ I'm having increased perspiration ____ I am losing weight inappropriately ____ I am losing weight but my appetite has increased ____ I feel like I have a lot of nervous energy that I need to burn off ____ I am having diarrhea or loose or more frequent bowel movements ____ I feel nervous or irritable ____ My skin looks or feels thinner ____ My muscles feel weak, particularly the upper arms and thighs ____ I am having difficulty getting to sleep, staying asleep, or going back to sleep after awakening in the middle of the night ____ I feel fatigued, exhausted ____ My hair is coarse and dry, breaking, brittle, falling out ____ My skin is coarse, dry, scaly, thin ____ I have a hoarse or gravelly voice ____ I have pains, aches in joints, hands and feet ____ I am having irregular menstrual cycles (shorter, longer, or heavier, or more frequent, or not at all) ____ I am having trouble conceiving a baby ____ I have had one or more miscarriages ____ I feel depressed ____ I feel restless, or anxious ____ I have had panic attacks. ____ I've recently been diagnosed as having panic disorder, anxiety disorder, or panic attacks ____ I have puffiness and swelling around the eyes and face ____ My eyes seem to be enlarging, or getting more "bug-eyed" looking ____ My moods change easily ____ I have feelings of worthlessness ____ I have difficulty concentrating or focusing ____ I have more feelings of sadness ____ I seem to be losing interest in normal daily activities

____ I'm more forgetful lately I also have the following additional symptoms, which have been reported more frequently in people with hyperthyroidism: ____ My hair is falling out ____ I can't seem to remember things ____ I have no sex drive, or am having sexual performance problems ____ I am getting more frequent infections, that last longer ____ I feel shortness of breath and tightness in the chest ____ My eyes feel gritty and dry ____ My eyes feel sensitive to light ____ My eyes get jumpy/tics in eyes, which makes me dizzy/vertigo and have headaches ____ I have strange feelings in neck or throat ____ I have tinnitus (ringing in ears) ____ I get recurrent sinus infections ____ I have vertigo ____ I feel some lightheadedness ____ I have severe menstrual cramps

Diet for People with Hyperthyroidism Recommendation: 2000 kcal & 60g protein

Early Morning

6: 00am

Tea OR Coffee OR Milk

100 ml

Breakfast

8:00- 8:30am

Idly- 3 nos OR Dosa- 3 nos OR Chapatti OR Upma OR Wheat Bread AND Sambar OR Chutney OR Vegetable Curry OR Corn flakes OR Oats with skimmed milk. Fruit OR Salad OR Buttermilk OR Veg Soup AND Sprouts Rice OR Chapathi - 2 nos AND Vegetables AND Salad AND Fish curry OR Chicken curry OR Egg white OR Low fat paneer OR Soya bean AND Curd OR Buttermilk Tea OR Coffee OR Milk AND Mari Biscuits OR Sprouts OR Bread Toast OR Veg Sandwich Rice OR Chapatti AND Vegetables AND Salad AND Fish curry OR Chicken curry OR Egg white OR Low fat paneeer OR Soya bean AND Curd OR

75g batter 3 cups (75g flour) 3 cups (75g rava) 4-5 slices 1 cup 75g & 200 ml

Mid Morning

10:30 11:00am

200g 1 cup 150 ml 150 ml 1 cup 3 cups (75g uncooked) 3 nos (75g flour) 2 cups 1 cup 100g 100g 2 nos 60g 30g 1 cup 200 ml 100 ml 3 nos 1 cup 2 slices 1 no 3 cups 3 nos 2 cups 1 cup 75g 75g 2 nos 50g 25g 1 cup

Lunch

12:30 - 1:30pm

Tea Time

4:00- 6:00pm

Dinner

8:00- 9:00pm

Buttermilk Instructions Note: Bed Time - Milk

200 ml

Zarina Mohd http://zarinasubagio.vemma.com