General Description

Grave's Disease, a form of Hyperthyroidism is an endocrine condition which occurs when the thyroid gland experiences raised functionality due to an increase in thyroid hormone production.  The thyroid is a small, butterfly shaped gland located just above the collarbone. As a member of the endocrine system, the thyroid is responsible for controlling many aspects of bodily function, most notably metabolism and hormone regulation.

Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid produces too much hormone. The result is a host of symptoms which can affect an individual's quality of life, such as insomnia, sensitivity to heat, irritability, and unnatural weight loss.  However, there is a diverse assortment of effective treatments which can alleviate symptoms and calm thyroid hormone production.

Causes

There are myriad causes for hyperthyroidism which range from dietary intake to autoimmune disease.  However, there are a variety of effective pharmaceutical and homeopathic treatments that can help soothe the condition once its exact cause has been established.  

• Graves’ Disease - One of the most common causes of hyperthyroidism is Graves’ Disease, an autoimmune disorder that occurs when the white blood cells of the immune system mistakenly and chronically attack the thyroid gland causing it to secrete too much hormone.  The medical community has yet to pinpoint the exact cause of Graves’ Disease, though there appears to be a hereditary component associated with the condition.

• Excessive Iodine - The overconsumption of iodine rich foods can cause the thyroid to produce too much active hormone. The thyroid absorbs iodine and uses it as a foundational building block for thyroid hormone production. The more iodine an individual ingests means the more iodine the gland will absorb and process, causing an overproduction of hormones.

•  Thyroiditis - Thyroiditis, a general term that refers to any non-autoimmune inflammation of the thyroid gland, is another cause of hyperthyroidism.  It can be caused by viral or bacterial infections, hormonal changes during or immediately after pregnancy, or by unknown causes.  When the gland becomes inflamed it causes stored thyroid hormones to escape and increase the amounts of thyroid hormone in the blood. The inflammation caused by Hashimoto’s Disease can also result in hyperthyroidism.

Traditional Treatments

There are two traditional forms of treatment for hyperthyroidism: suppression of thyroid hormones through prescription medication or the removal of all or part of the gland to decrease hormone production.  Thyroid suppressant therapy, also known as anti-thyroid treatment, is typically the first level response to an overactive thyroid.  If the gland is resistant to hormone suppressants, then health professionals may use radioactive iodine or surgery to remove enough of the gland to reduce hormone production.  Each of these avenues of treatment yields positive and negative effects, and the best course of action should be the result of patient and healthcare professional weighing these facts together.

• Thyroid Suppressant Medication - Thyroid suppressants are often prescribed to individuals in the early stages of hyperthyroidism or who are dealing with a chronic hyperthyroid condition such as Graves’ Disease.  The two most common forms of anti-thyroid chemicals are Methimazole and Propylthiouracil.  Both of these drugs disrupt some of the production of thyroid hormones, resulting in normal levels of the hormones in the bloodstream.   

• Additional Prescription Medications - In addition to an anti-thyroid medication, healthcare providers may also prescribe other medications to address the specific symptoms of hyperthyroidism, such as beta blockers, medicines for ADD/ADHD, and hormone therapy to regulate menstrual cycles.

• Radioactive Iodine Treatment - The treatment works to reduce the size of or eliminate the thyroid by killing the cells of the gland through an ingested dose of radioactive iodine.  The amount of gland affected can be determined by how much iodine is ingested.  Most patients see the desired results after one dose of the chemical, however two or more doses may be administered if necessary. The amount of the dose is an educated guess on the part of the endocrinologist based on laboratory results for iodine uptake, and it is unknown how much of the thyroid will be destroyed until after two months have passed.  The result is that many hyperthyroid patients who undergo the treatment end up with a smaller than normal thyroid gland or no thyroid gland, making them hypothyroid and dependent on synthetic thyroid hormone for life.

• Surgery - During thyroid removal surgery, known as a thyroidectomy, a surgeon manually takes out part or all of the thyroid gland to suppress hormone production. The main benefit of thyroid surgery is that a more precise amount of gland can be removed and the results of the procedure known instantly.  However, as with all surgeries, there are risks for complications and injury to surrounding areas, such as the voice box.  The procedure also leaves a scar that, depending on a variety of factors, can extend from three to six inches across the bottom of the neck and remain visible permanently.

For more valuable information on traditional treatments for hyperthyroidism, check out our full length report! 

Misdiagnosis of Symptoms

The broad list of both physical and mental symptoms associated with hyperthyroidism makes the condition easy to misdiagnose.  The characteristic symptoms of the condition, such as weight loss, elevated mood, irritability, and increased energy, can, when taken out of context of each other, appear to medical professionals as independent or unrelated issues. 

One factor that often results in a misdiagnosis of hyperthyroidism is that specific symptoms of the condition are easier to immediately identify and therefore mistaken for the root of a patient’s issues. However, treatment of these symptoms alone will not address the underlying cause.  The result is that a patient may be diagnosed with several conditions, such as anorexia, insomnia, and mania, but the root cause will remain undiagnosed and untreated.    

If you receive a diagnosis of one of the conditions below, but suspect you might suffer from hyperthyroidism or Graves’ Disease, we advise you to seek out a second opinion or contact an endocrinologist or alternative healer versed in thyroid dysfunction. To prevent misdiagnosis of your hyperthyroid symptoms, but sure to go to your appointment armed with as detailed observations of your health as possible.

• Anorexia - Anorexia is an eating disorder characterized by an individual refusing to eat or eating very little, resulting in significant and dangerous weight loss. Physical symptoms of anorexia include extreme weight loss, fatigue, fainting, hair loss, brittle nails, lack of menstruation, low blood pressure, and a layer of fine, downy hair over the entire body. Hyperthyroidism, especially long undiagnosed hyperthyroidism, can mimic some of the signs of anorexia.  Many hyperthyroidism and Graves’ Disease patients have reported that they were under severe suspicion of anorexia from their personal network and medical professionals due to a lack of appetite, increased energy and desire for physical activity, and sometimes extreme weight loss. A simple blood test to analyze thyroid function can clear up this common misdiagnosis.

• Mania - Mania is a mental state that is characterized by extreme energy, high volatility, and flights of creativity. It is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain, which can be the result of substance abuse or hormonal deregulation. Mania is a common symptom of hyperthyroidism due to the increased amount of brain chemicals stimulated by abnormal hormone production. Because the symptoms of mania tend to upstage any other symptoms an individual might report or a medical professional may notice, it is not uncommon for an individual suffering with severe hyperthyroidism to be misdiagnosed and treated with mood stabilizers. When a diagnosis of mania is given, always insist on thyroid hormone blood analysis. 

• Insomnia - Insomnia is a condition that occurs when an individual has trouble going to sleep or sleeping through the night.  Chronic insomnia can seriously affect an individual’s quality of life. Like mania, insomnia is a common symptom of hyperthyroidism. The result is that hyperthyroid patients find it more difficult to fall asleep, stay asleep or sleep deeply.  If you suffer from hyperthyroidism but are diagnosed with insomnia, you will note that with mild to moderate treatments (such as warm baths, reduced caffeine, and mild sleep aides) will do little to quell your symptoms. Before starting a regimen, be sure to have your thyroid levels checked.  

For more valuable information on the potential misdiagnosis of hyperthyroidism, check out our full length report!

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