Medical management of hyperthyroidism

An overactive thyroid can speed up several body processes. People may notice palpitations, excessive sweating, heat intolerance, feeling anxious, difficulty sleeping, diarrhoea or night sweats. These symptoms can have other causes, so diagnosis usually involves a clinical assessment and thyroid blood tests. The clinician may also examine the neck, pulse and eyes, then investigate why the thyroid is overactive.

Treatment is selected according to the cause, symptoms, examination and personal circumstances. Options may include medicine that reduces thyroid hormone production, medicine to ease some fast-heartbeat symptoms, radioactive iodine or surgery. Take treatment as prescribed and attend blood-test appointments, because doses often need adjustment as hormone levels change. Tell the clinician about pregnancy, heart symptoms and every medicine or supplement you use.

Arrange prompt medical advice for new or worsening palpitations, persistent diarrhoea, marked sweating, unexplained weight change or difficulty sleeping that is affecting daily life. Seek emergency help for chest pain, severe breathlessness, fainting, confusion, a very fast or irregular heartbeat, or high fever with severe agitation. Do not stop prescribed thyroid medicine without advice.

Ask which cause is suspected, which blood tests are needed, how quickly treatment should help, and how often monitoring is required. Ask what symptoms could indicate too much or too little thyroid medicine and whether any supplement should be avoided.