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Your thyroid helps set the pace for your body. When it releases too much hormone, that pace speeds up. This condition is called hyperthyroidism, and it can affect nearly every system in your body.
“Hyperthyroidism means the thyroid is overactive,” says Dr. Lu Xu, an endocrinologist at Sky Lakes Medical Center. “It’s making more thyroid hormone than your body actually needs.”
Symptoms That Feel Like Your Body Is Racing
Many symptoms of hyperthyroidism feel like the opposite of hypothyroidism. Instead of feeling slow and cold, you may feel revved up and overheated. Common signs include heat intolerance, fast or irregular heartbeat, heart palpitations, anxiety, tremors, diarrhea, and weight loss even though your appetite increases.
People may also notice poor sleep, irritability, fatigue, and menstrual changes. “Fatigue and menstrual irregularity can happen in both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism,” Xu notes, “which is why blood tests matter.”
What Causes Hyperthyroidism?
The cause often depends on age. In younger adults, the most common cause is Graves’ disease, an autoimmune condition. “The body makes a stimulating antibody that attaches to the thyroid and pushes it to make hormone in an out-of-control manner,” Xu explains.
In older adults, overactive thyroid nodules become more common. These “toxic” or “hot” nodules produce hormone on their own and ignore the body’s normal feedback system.
Some forms of hyperthyroidism are temporary. In conditions like postpartum thyroiditis or certain medication-related thyroiditis, the thyroid releases stored hormone as it becomes inflamed. “In those cases, the thyroid isn’t making more hormone,” Xu says. “It’s releasing what was already stored.”
How Doctors Diagnose It
Diagnosis starts with blood work. Doctors check TSH, T4, and often T3 levels. “I usually check total T3 because it helps us figure out the cause,” Xu says.
In some cases, imaging helps. A radioactive iodine uptake scan can show whether the thyroid is actively producing excess hormone or simply releasing stored hormone. Xu says that high uptake suggests Graves’ disease or nodules; low uptake points toward thyroiditis.
Why Treatment Matters
Hyperthyroidism is not something to ignore. “Untreated hyperthyroidism increases overall mortality,” Xu says. The biggest risks involve the heart. These include rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, and, in severe cases, heart failure.
It can also affect mood and mental health. Anxiety, insomnia, irritability, and tremors are common. Over time, untreated disease raises the risk of serious cardiovascular complications.
Treatment Options: One Size Does Not Fit All
Treatment depends on the cause and severity. For Graves’ disease, options include medication, radioactive iodine therapy, or surgery.
Medication may lead to remission for some people. “If someone needs a low dose and has a lower antibody level, they may go into remission after one to two years,” Xu says. Higher doses come with higher risks, including effects on white blood cells and liver function.
Radioactive iodine therapy is a one-time treatment that reduces thyroid tissue. Surgery may help if the thyroid is very large or causing choking or swallowing problems. Both treatments often result in hypothyroidism, which doctors then manage with hormone replacement. “Overall, hypothyroidism is easier to manage than hyperthyroidism,” she notes.
Diet and Ongoing Care
Diet does not replace treatment, but it supports overall health. Xu recommends a Mediterranean-style diet for both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. This pattern includes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, olive oil, fish, and moderate protein. It supports anti-inflammatory and immune health, which matters because many thyroid conditions are autoimmune.
When To See Your Doctor
“If you have symptoms that raise concern, it’s always a good idea to have your thyroid checked,” Xu says.
Early testing and the right treatment can help your body find its balance again.
