There is a condition called hyperthyroidism.Your thyroid is important because it helps regulate many bodily functions, including your heartbeat and breathing.Problems with those systems can be caused by overproduction of the hormone that regulates them when you have hyperthyroidism.
Step 1: There is a change in heartbeat.
Hyperthyroidism can cause a faster heartbeat, an irregular heartbeat or a pounding heartbeat.You can check to see if your pulse is over 100 bpm if you feel an irregular heartbeat.Find your pulse to check your heart rate.While counting beats, use a stopwatch to time 15 seconds.You can get your beats per minute by taking that number and dividing it by four.If you have 25 beats or more in 15 seconds, you should talk to your doctor.
Step 2: Check your body temperature.
It is possible that you are more prone to sweating.You could also have hot flashes.
Step 3: Look for shaking hands.
A tremor in your hand is related to the hormone.
Step 4: Pay attention to your breathing.
You could have a hyperthyroid problem if you have breathing issues.When you sit to see if you have trouble with your breathing, pay particular attention to it.
Step 5: Check your weight.
Too much of the hyperthyroid hormone can cause your weight to fluctuate.People lose weight.The disease can cause an increase in appetite.
Step 6: Pay attention to how you are feeling.
It's possible that hyperthyroidism can make you angry.You can find your moods swinging from one extreme to another.It can affect your concentration.
Step 7: There are changes in menstrual cycles and bowel movements.
If you go to the bathroom more often, your menstrual cycles could change, either becoming heavier, lighter, or irregular.If you don't have them at all, your periods are most likely to become lighter.
Step 8: You should notice fatigue.
It can be a symptom of hyperthyroidism if you find yourself exhausted or weak.
Step 9: Check for swelling.
It can become enlarged with hyperthyroidism.There is swelling near the bottom of your neck.
Step 10: There are changes to look for.
Thin skin, brittle hair, dry skin and bulging eyes are some of the things you may notice.
Step 11: You should see your doctor.
Check with your doctor if you have any of the symptoms.Ask to be tested for hyperthyroidism.
Step 12: It is difficult to diagnose the disease.
Many of these symptoms can point to other diseases, so your doctor may not immediately lean towards hyperthyroidism.
Step 13: Have someone draw your blood.
If you want to check for hyperthyroidism, you have to have blood drawn.Your blood will be tested to find out your TSH level.The thyroid stimulating hormone is produced by the pituitary gland.The level of TSH will be pushed down if you have too much of the thyroid hormone.If your level of TSH is low, you may have hyperthyroidism.The levels of the hormones T3 and T4 may be checked by your doctor.Your doctor will help you raise your TSH levels if they are low.
Step 14: Look for the cause.
Graves' disease is one of the causes of hyperthyroidism.Your doctor can look for these problems.Your doctor can use radioactive iodine to screen for the cause.Your doctor can check to see how much iodine you have absorbed when you create hormones.If it absorbs too much, it means your thyroid is making too many of the hormone.Athyroid scans can be used to screen for the cause.The doctor can use a radioactive substance to create an image of your thyroid.Your doctor can also look at your thyroid.This procedure uses sound waves and does not use ionizing radiation.
Step 15: The person is using antithyroid medication.
The purpose of antithyroid medication is to slow the rate at which the thyroid makes hormones.Methimazole is the main medication used today.It takes anywhere from 1 1/2 months to 3 months for this treatment to work.It doesn't always work permanently with this treatment.The drugs in this category can cause damage to the body.It is more likely to cause damage than methimazole, which is why it is used less often.
Step 16: You take radioactive iodine.
To slow down production, you need to shrink your thyroid glands.It can take up to half a year to work effectively.If this treatment slows down production too much, you may need to take a replacement hormone.
Step 17: Your thyroid needs to be removed.
If you don't want to produce more of the hormone thyroxine, you can have your thyroid removed completely.You will need to take a hormone replacement with this option, as your body needs that hormone to survive.
Step 18: The symptoms should be treated.
Drugs may be needed to treat the symptoms.High blood pressure drugs can be used to treat heart palpitations.The symptoms of nervousness and sweating can be alleviated with the help of the blockers.
Step 19: Your diet needs to be adjusted.
If you have lost muscle mass, you may need to increase your calories.It is possible to increase your weight and build muscle with the help of food.
Step 20: Stress can be alleviated to relieve anxiety.
Try to lower your stress level by meditating or practicing yoga.One of the best ways to control hyperthyroidism is naturally.Close your eyes for a simple meditation technique.For four counts, breathe in slowly and breathe out slowly.Continue until you feel better.
Step 21: Take some vitamins.
If you have hyperthyroidism, it can make your bones brittle.If you want to protect yourself against osteoporosis, you can take a supplement that helps your bones absorb calcium.If you're an adult male under the age of 71, you should be taking 1,000 milligrams a day.When you reach age 51, you should be taking 1,200 milligrams per day.
Step 22: It's a good idea to skip the coffee.
The fast heart rate and anxiety can be made worse by the use of caffeine.It's important to pay attention to hidden caffeine.You may not know that chocolate has some caffeine.
Step 23: If you have Graves' disease, try to quit smoking.