Symptoms of an overactive thyroid in older adults

Hyperthyroidism means the thyroid is producing more thyroid hormone than the body needs. In older adults it may appear as unexplained weight loss, reduced strength, low mood, withdrawal, worsening memory, or a change in usual heart rhythm rather than obvious nervousness. Feeling unusually warm, excessive sweating, difficulty sleeping, diarrhoea, tremor, or a racing heartbeat can also occur. These symptoms have many possible causes, so they do not establish hyperthyroidism without a clinical assessment and thyroid blood tests.

Book a GP appointment if symptoms are new, persistent, or accompanied by weight loss or a fast heartbeat. Bring a full medication list, details of supplements, recent illness, and notes about appetite, sleep, bowel changes, and episodes of palpitations. The clinician may examine the neck and heart and arrange blood tests. Do not stop prescribed medicine without advice; some medicines can alter symptoms or thyroid results and should be discussed openly.

Seek urgent care for chest pain, severe breathlessness, fainting, confusion, a very rapid or irregular heartbeat, or sudden marked weakness. An older adult who becomes acutely confused, extremely agitated, very hot, or seriously unwell needs emergency assessment. These signs can reflect a dangerous disturbance in the heart, circulation, or thyroid hormone effects.

Ask which blood tests are needed, whether medicines or supplements could be contributing, and how symptoms may affect the heart and bones. Discuss treatment choices, monitoring, and which changes in pulse, mood, sleep, or bowel habits should trigger a call.