What does it mean if your thyroid is hyperactive?
Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) occurs when your thyroid gland produces too much of the hormone thyroxine. Hyperthyroidism can accelerate your body’s metabolism, causing unintentional weight loss and a rapid or irregular heartbeat. Several treatments are available for hyperthyroidism.
What is overactive thyroid symptoms?
Symptoms of an overactive thyroid
- nervousness, anxiety and irritability.
- mood swings.
- difficulty sleeping.
- persistent tiredness and weakness.
- sensitivity to heat.
- swelling in your neck from an enlarged thyroid gland (goitre)
- an irregular and/or unusually fast heart rate (palpitations)
- twitching or trembling.
Is overactive thyroid serious?
In rare cases, an undiagnosed or poorly controlled overactive thyroid can lead to a serious, life-threatening condition called a thyroid storm. This is a sudden flare-up of symptoms that can be triggered by: an infection.
What is the best treatment for overactive thyroid?
Medicines called thionamides are commonly used to treat an overactive thyroid. They stop your thyroid producing excess hormones. The main types used are carbimazole and propylthiouracil. You’ll usually need to take the medicine for 1 to 2 months before you notice any benefit.
Can you gain weight with overactive thyroid?
Hyperthyroidism usually increases your appetite. If you’re taking in a lot more calories, you can gain weight even if your body is burning more energy. Make sure you eat healthy foods, get regular exercise, and work with a doctor on a nutrition plan.
What will happen if I stop taking my thyroid medication?
What happens when you stop taking thyroid medication? If you stop taking your thyroid medication, you can expect your hypothyroid symptoms to return. Typically, the longer you go without your medication, and the more severe your thyroid disease is, the higher your risk for severe and even life-threatening conditions.
Can u overdose on thyroid medicine?
Thyroid preparations are medicines used to treat thyroid gland disorders. Overdose occurs when someone takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this medicine. This can be by accident or on purpose. Symptoms of thyroid preparation overdose can be the same as symptoms of stimulant drugs.
What happens if you take 2 thyroid pills by mistake?
Taking an extra dose of levothyroxine by accident is unlikely to harm you. Speak to your doctor if: you accidentally take more than 1 extra dose. you get side effects such as a racing heart beat or chest pain – these may not happen straight away, it can be several days before they come on.