What should you know about physical signs of hyperthyroidism?

Hyperthyroidism means the thyroid produces more thyroid hormone than the body needs. This can speed up body processes and cause palpitations, increased sweating, feeling unusually hot, diarrhoea, difficulty sleeping, nervousness or feeling anxious. Some people develop fine trembling, muscle weakness, tiredness, increased appetite, or weight loss without trying.

Neck swelling, eye irritation or changes around the eyes can occur with some thyroid conditions, but symptoms vary. These signs can also have other explanations, including medication effects, anxiety, infection or heart rhythm problems. Symptoms cannot confirm hyperthyroidism; a clinician usually combines an examination with thyroid blood tests.

Arrange a GP appointment if several of these changes are new, persistent or affecting sleep, work, eating or exercise. Record your pulse symptoms, bowel pattern, sweating, sleep, weight changes and any neck or eye changes. Bring a list of medicines, supplements and family thyroid history.

Limit triggers that clearly worsen palpitations, such as excess caffeine, while waiting for assessment. Do not start thyroid medicine or supplements without professional advice. A clinician can explain testing and treatment options if an overactive thyroid is found.

Seek urgent help for chest pain, fainting, severe breathlessness, a sustained racing or irregular heartbeat, marked confusion, or a high fever with severe agitation and weakness. Sudden vision loss or severe eye pain also needs urgent assessment. Prompt review is sensible when palpitations are recurrent or symptoms are rapidly worsening.

Ask which tests are needed, whether a medicine or supplement could be contributing, how to manage palpitations while awaiting results, and whether eye or heart symptoms change the urgency. Ask when to repeat testing and how treatment will be monitored.