Iatrogenic hyperthyroidism symptoms: what should I know?

Excess thyroid hormone can speed up body processes. People may notice palpitations, feeling anxious, difficulty sleeping, heat intolerance, excessive sweating, night sweats, diarrhoea, shaking or unexplained weight loss. These symptoms can have other causes, and some people have few symptoms. The link is more likely when symptoms begin after a prescription change or when monitoring shows thyroid hormone levels are higher than intended.

Contact the clinician who manages your thyroid treatment and explain when symptoms began, the medicine name, the dose and any recent changes. Do not stop or alter treatment independently. Bring a list of prescriptions, supplements and missed or extra doses. Blood tests commonly help compare thyroid hormone and thyroid-stimulating hormone levels, while an examination checks pulse, blood pressure and other causes.

Seek urgent medical help for chest pain, severe breathlessness, fainting, confusion, a very fast or irregular heartbeat, or severe weakness. Arrange prompt review for new palpitations, persistent diarrhoea, worsening tremor or inability to sleep. Tell the clinician if you have heart disease, are pregnant or take medicines that affect heart rhythm.

Could my thyroid dose be too high? Which blood tests are needed, and when should they be repeated? What should I do if I miss a dose or develop palpitations? Could another medicine or supplement be contributing?