Clinical signs of hyperthyroidism

Extra thyroid hormone can make the heart beat faster, increase sensitivity to heat, and speed movement through the gut. A person may feel restless, shaky, unusually tired, or unable to sleep despite feeling wired. Night sweats and a racing or irregular heartbeat may also occur. Symptoms vary, and anxiety or diarrhoea alone does not establish a thyroid cause. A clinician may examine the neck and eyes and arrange thyroid blood tests to compare hormone levels and thyroid-stimulating hormone.

Arrange a medical appointment if several symptoms persist, are new, or interfere with sleep, work, eating, or exercise. Record when palpitations occur, changes in weight or bowel habits, heat sensitivity, and all medicines or supplements. Do not change prescribed thyroid medicine or take iodine products without advice. Diagnosis guides treatment, which may involve medicine, radioactive iodine, or surgery depending on the cause and the person’s circumstances.

Seek emergency help for chest pain, severe breathlessness, fainting, a very fast or irregular heartbeat with weakness, or sudden confusion. Fever with agitation, vomiting, diarrhoea, and a racing heart needs urgent assessment because severe thyroid overactivity can become dangerous. Contact a clinician promptly if palpitations are recurring or if symptoms intensify quickly.

Ask which blood tests are needed, whether a medicine or supplement could be contributing, and how to record pulse symptoms. Discuss treatment choices, possible effects on the heart and bones, and what warning signs should prompt urgent review.