If you have hyperthyroidism

The thyroid makes hormones that influence heart rate, temperature regulation, digestion, and energy use. In hyperthyroidism, excess hormone may lead to a racing or irregular heartbeat, tremor, unexplained weight loss, frequent stools or diarrhoea, restlessness, excessive sweating, heat intolerance, or night sweats. A symptom alone cannot establish the diagnosis because stress, medicines, infection, and other conditions can look similar. Blood tests and a clinical examination help clarify the cause.

Arrange a medical appointment if these symptoms persist, especially if palpitations, sleep difficulty, or heat intolerance are affecting daily life. Bring a list of medicines and supplements, including products containing thyroid hormone or iodine. Your clinician may arrange thyroid blood tests and discuss treatment or specialist review. Take prescribed medicine as directed and report troublesome effects rather than changing the dose yourself.

Seek urgent help for chest pain, severe breathlessness, fainting, confusion, a very fast or irregular heartbeat, or sudden severe weakness. Prompt assessment is also needed if palpitations are accompanied by fever, vomiting, or marked agitation, because an overactive thyroid can sometimes become suddenly more serious.

Ask which thyroid tests you need, what may be causing the overactivity, how quickly treatment should work, and which symptoms require emergency care.