Hyperthyroidism - Natural Solutions To Help

Hyperthyroidism is an imbalance of metabolism caused by overproduction of thyroid hormone. The thyroid gland is located in the neck. It produces several hormones which control the way that every cell in the body uses energy (metabolism). The thyroid is part of the endocrine system.

Who gets Hyperthyroidism?

Hyperthyroidism affects 2-5% of all women mainly between 20 and 40 years old.

Predisposing Factors

Graves' disease - most common cause (due to IgG antibodies binding to the TSH receptor and stimulating thyroid hormone production).
Toxic multinodular goitre: many patients are euthyroid for years before development of thyrotoxicosis. Occurs in older women, drug therapy rarely successful in inducing a prolonged remission
Toxic adenoma
Thyroiditis (De Quervain's Thyroiditis, factitia - surreptitious T4 consumption), drugs (amiodarone), metastatic differentiated thyroid carcinoma and TSH-secretion tumours (e.g. of pituitary).
Thyroid crisis precipitated by infection, stress, surgery or radioactive iodine therapy in an unprepared patient.

Probable Outcomes

Hyperthyroidism caused by Graves' disease is usually progressive and has many associated complications, some of which are severe and affect quality of life. These include complications caused by use of radioactive iodine, surgery, and medications to replace thyroid hormones. However, hyperthyroidism is generally treatable and rarely fatal.

Symptoms of This Disease: