Hyperthyroidism - treatment

Hyperthyroidism is a combination of symptoms manifesting as a result of thyroid hyperfunction and characterized by mandatory medication.

Hyperfunction means excessive, excessive production of thyroid hormones - triiodothyronine and thyroxine. These hormones, called thyroid, are responsible for the growth and development of the body, provide a normal level of physical and mental activity, metabolism and accelerate mental functions.

Causes of hyperthyroidism

The most common cause of hyperthyroidism doctors call Based's disease. This disease, also called diffuse toxic goiter, is autoimmune and leads to thyrotoxicosis or thyroid hormone poisoning. Most often, middle-aged women with a genetic predisposition suffer from this disease.

More rarely as a cause, there is a so-called Plummer disease or nodular toxic goiter . This disease is a benign tumor and is manifested by clinical symptoms of thyroid hyperthyroidism, the treatment of which we will consider below. Rarer reasons are:

• uncontrolled reception of thyroid hormones;
• ovarian tumors;
• tumors of the pituitary gland;
• excessive intake of iodine in the body;
• other autoimmune diseases.

Signs of hyperthyroidism

Clinical symptoms of hyperthyroidism are similar for different reasons, but differ depending on the severity of the disease, as well as on the duration of its course:

1. Neurological disorders:
   • increased excitability;
   • unbalance, frequent change of mood;
   • increased sense of fear;
   • insomnia;
   • violation of attention and concentration.
2. Disorders of the cardiovascular system:
   • tachycardia (cardiac rhythm failure with heart rate more than 90 beats per minute);
   • rapid pulse;
   • signs of heart failure (shortness of breath, swelling, cyanosis of the nasolabial triangle);
   • violation of blood pressure (increasing the upper when lowering the lower one).
3. Disorders from the digestive tract:
   • acceleration of metabolism (manifested by loss of body weight with normal or increased appetite);
   • digestive disorders (constipation or diarrhea);
   • spasmodic abdominal pain;
   • vomiting;
   • increase, tenderness of the liver.
4. Violation of sexual functions (impotence and gynecomastia in men, menstrual cycle disorder in women).
5. Metabolic disorders (excessive sweating, brittle and thin hair, deterioration of the skin).
6. Disturbances from the eyes (exophthalmos, dry sclera, corneal erosion, lacrimation, resists).

Treatment of hyperthyroidism

Before deciding how to treat hyperthyroidism, the doctor prescribes certain studies. These include determining the level of hormones of the thyroid gland, ultrasound and CT, ECG and, if necessary, biopsy of thyroid gland nodes.

In the case of conservative, gentle treatment, medicinal antithyroid preparations. Their action is based on blocking the accumulation of iodine, without which the production of thyroid hormones is impossible. This also includes a special diet with the correct ratio of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, increased amounts of vitamins and calcium salts. Restrictions include products that exert a stimulating effect on the central nervous system.

If the conservative treatment is ineffective, treatment with radioactive iodine or surgical removal of part of the gland can be used, resulting in a decrease in the secretion of hormones. The main consequences of hyperthyroidism include infertility (both male and female) and thyrotoxic crisis, also called hyperthyroid coma.