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Hyperthyroidism
Alternate Names : Overactive Thyroid, Thyrotoxicosis
DefinitionHyperthyroidism is an imbalance of metabolism caused by overproduction of thyroid hormone.
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Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
The thyroid gland is located in the neck. It produces several hormones which control the way that every cell in the body uses energy (metabolism). The thyroid is part of the endocrine system.
Hyperthyroidism or thyrotoxicosis occurs when the thyroid releases too many of its hormones over a short (acute) or long (chronic) period of time. Many diseases and conditions can cause this problem.
These include Graves' disease; non-cancerous growths of the thyroid gland or pituitary gland; tumors of the testes or ovaries; inflammation (irritation and swelling with presence of extra immune cells) of the thyroid due to viral infections or other causes; ingestion of excessive amounts of thyroid hormone; and ingestion of excessive iodine. Graves' disease accounts for 85% of all cases of hyperthyroidism.
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• Definition
• Hyperthyroidism Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
• Hyperthyroidism Symptoms & Signs
• Hyperthyroidism Prevention
• Hyperthyroidism Diagnosis & Tests
• Hyperthyroidism Treatment
• Hyperthyroidism Prognosis
• Hyperthyroidism Complications
• Calling Your Health Care Provider
• Pictures & Images
Topics that might be of interest to you Diseases & Conditions
• Atrial Fibrillation/Flutter
• Factitious Hyperthyroidism
• Goiter
• Graves' Disease
• Hypothyroidism
• Painless (Silent) Thyroiditis
Tests & Exams
• Antithyroglobulin Antibody
• Blood Pressure
• Glucose Test
• Pulse
• Radioactive Iodine Uptake
• RT3U
• T3
• T4 Test
• Triglyceride Level
• TSH
• TSI
Other Topics
• Abdominal Pain
• Acute
• Agitation
• Appetite - Increased
• Diarrhea
• Endocrine
• Eyes - Bulging
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Hair Loss
• Hand Tremor
• Heartbeat Sensations
• Heat Intolerance
• High Blood Pressure
• Itching
• Menstrual Periods - Heavy, Prolonged, or Irregular
• Menstruation - Absent
• Metabolism
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Physical Examination
• Pulse - Bounding
• Skin - Clammy
• Skin Blushing/Flushing
• Sleeping Difficulty
• Stress and Anxiety
• Sweating - Excessive
• Testes
• Vital Signs
• Vitamin B12
• Weakness
• Weight Loss - Unintentional
Review Date : 9/1/2002
Reviewed By : Todd T. Brown, M.D., Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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