What happens if hyperthyroidism is not treated

A thyroid storm is a medical emergency. If you think you or someone in your care is experiencing it, call to ask for an ambulance immediately. Page last reviewed: 24 September Next review due: 24 September Eye problems Eye problems, known as thyroid eye disease or Graves' ophthalmopathy, affect around 1 in 3 people with an overactive thyroid caused by Graves' disease. Problems can include: eyes feeling dry and gritty sensitivity to light watering eyes blurred or double vision red eyes red, swollen or pulled back eyelids bulging eyes Many cases are mild and get better as your overactive thyroid is treated, but for around 1 in every 20 to 30 cases there's a risk of vision loss.

Underactive thyroid Treatment for an overactive thyroid often results in hormone levels becoming too low. Symptoms of an underactive thyroid can include: sensitivity to cold tiredness weight gain constipation depression An underactive thyroid is sometimes only temporary, but often it's permanent and long-term treatment with thyroid hormone medicine is needed.

Pregnancy problems If you have an overactive thyroid during pregnancy and your condition is not well controlled, it can increase the risk of: pre-eclampsia miscarriage premature labour and birth before the 37th week of pregnancy your baby having a low birthweight Tell your doctor if you're planning a pregnancy or think you might be pregnant. It causes stored thyroid hormone to leak out of your thyroid gland.

Too much iodine. Iodine is found in some medicines, cough syrups, seaweed and seaweed-based supplements. Taking too much of them can cause your thyroid to make too much thyroid hormone. Too much thyroid medicine. This can happen if people who take thyroid hormone medicine for hypothyroidism underactive thyroid take too much of it. Who is at risk for hyperthyroidism? You are at higher risk for hyperthyroidism if you Are a woman Are older than age 60 Have been pregnant or had a baby within the past 6 months Have had thyroid surgery or a thyroid problem, such as goiter Have a family history of thyroid disease Have pernicious anemia , in which the body cannot make enough healthy red blood cells because it does not have enough vitamin B12 Have type 1 diabetes or primary adrenal insufficiency, a hormonal disorder Get too much iodine, from eating large amounts of foods containing iodine or using iodine-containing medicines or supplements What are the symptoms of hyperthyroidism?

The symptoms of hyperthyroidism can vary from person to person and may include Nervousness or irritability Fatigue Muscle weakness Trouble tolerating heat Trouble sleeping Tremor , usually in your hands Rapid and irregular heartbeat Frequent bowel movements or diarrhea Weight loss Mood swings Goiter, an enlarged thyroid that may cause your neck to look swollen. Sometimes it can cause trouble with breathing or swallowing. What other problems can hyperthyroidism cause?

If hyperthyroidism isn't treated, it can cause some serious health problems, including An irregular heartbeat that can lead to blood clots , stroke , heart failure , and other heart problems An eye disease called Graves' ophthalmopathy. It can cause double vision, light sensitivity, and eye pain. In rare cases, it can lead to vision loss. Thinning bones and osteoporosis Fertility problems in women Complications in pregnancy, such as premature birth , low birth weight , high blood pressure in pregnancy , and miscarriage How is hyperthyroidism diagnosed?

Your health care provider may use many tools to make a diagnosis: A medical history, including asking about symptoms A physical exam Thyroid tests , such as TSH , T3 , T4 , and thyroid antibody blood tests Imaging tests , such as a thyroid scan, ultrasound , or radioactive iodine uptake test. A radioactive iodine uptake test measures how much radioactive iodine your thyroid takes up from your blood after you swallow a small amount of it.

What are the treatments for hyperthyroidism? The treatments for hyperthyroidism include medicines, radioiodine therapy, and thyroid surgery: Medicines for hyperthyroidism include Antithyroid medicines, which cause your thyroid to make less thyroid hormone. You probably need to take the medicines for 1 to 2 years. In some cases, you might need to take the medicines for several years.

This is the simplest treatment, but it is often not a permanent cure. Beta blocker medicines, which can reduce symptoms such as tremors, rapid heartbeat, and nervousness. They work quickly and can help you feel better until other treatments take effect.

You cannot prevent hyperthyroidism. However, some people are more at risk for the condition. This includes people who:.

There are several treatments for hyperthyroidism. The best one depends on your age, health, cause, and the severity of your condition. The goal is to control your thyroid levels and make them normal. Doing this relieves symptoms and prevents future health problems. Treatments include:. Try using over-the-counter creams with hydrocortisone for relief. To relieve these symptoms:. American Thyroid Association: Hyperthyroidism. This article was contributed by: familydoctor.

This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone. Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject. You may hear conflicting reports from different sources.

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High Blood Pressure. Home Diseases and Conditions Hyperthyroidism. Table of Contents. What is hyperthyroidism? Symptoms of hyperthyroidism. Common symptoms include: Unplanned weight loss.

Rapid heartbeat, abnormal heartbeat, or pounding of the heart. Nervousness, anxiety, or touchiness. Tremors trembling of the hands and fingers. Changes in menstrual patterns, such as lighter flow or less frequent periods, in women. Increased sensitivity to heat. Increased sweating. Bowel changes. An enlarged thyroid gland called a goiter , which can appear as swelling at the base of the neck.

Muscle weakness. Trouble sleeping. Increased appetite. You may have pain: Pain. Blurry or double vision. Sensitivity to light. What causes hyperthyroidism? Two other common causes for hyperthyroidism are: Hyperfunctioning overactive thyroid nodules. One or more nodules or lumps in the thyroid grow. This increases the production of the thyroid hormone.