Feeling wired, losing weight without trying, or waking up sweating more than usual? Those can be signs of hyperthyroidism — when your thyroid makes too much hormone. This page gives clear, practical steps to recognize the condition, what tests to expect, and the main treatment choices so you can talk with your clinician with confidence.
Typical symptoms include rapid heartbeat, unexplained weight loss, heat intolerance, tremors, increased sweating, anxiety, and trouble sleeping. Women may have irregular periods; men can notice decreased libido. If you have eye changes (bulging, redness) with other symptoms, that suggests Graves' disease and needs faster evaluation. Seek urgent care for very high fever, fast irregular heartbeat, confusion, or severe weakness — those might indicate thyroid storm, a medical emergency.
The first simple test is a blood TSH. A low TSH with high free T4 or T3 usually confirms hyperthyroidism. Doctors might also order thyroid antibody tests (like TSI) to check for Graves' disease, a radioactive iodine uptake scan to look for nodules or inflammation, and an ultrasound if nodules are suspected. Keep a record of symptoms, medications, and recent illnesses to help your doctor interpret results — some drugs and supplements can affect thyroid labs.
Treatment choices depend on cause, age, pregnancy plans, and how severe symptoms are. Antithyroid medicines such as methimazole or propylthiouracil lower hormone production and often come first. Beta-blockers like propranolol or metoprolol don’t fix the thyroid but control fast heart rate, tremors, and anxiety while other treatments take effect. Radioactive iodine is a common, non-surgical option that gradually destroys overactive thyroid tissue. Surgery to remove part or all of the thyroid is used when meds and radioactive iodine aren’t suitable, or when nodules raise concern.
Each option has trade-offs: medicines require monitoring for liver or blood issues, radioactive iodine may lead to lifelong hypothyroidism needing replacement therapy, and surgery carries typical operative risks. Follow-up testing is crucial — your thyroid levels can change over weeks to months, and doses must be adjusted.
Pregnancy changes the approach. Methimazole is usually avoided in early pregnancy; propylthiouracil is often preferred in the first trimester under close supervision. If you are trying to conceive or already pregnant, tell your clinician early so they can pick the safest plan.
Simple self-care helps too: avoid excessive iodine supplements, limit high-caffeine intake if you’re jittery, and track weight and heart rate at home. Bring a list of all your meds, over-the-counter products, and herbal supplements to appointments — some interact with thyroid treatment.
Want more details or medication guides? GenMedicare has articles on related drugs, testing, and living with thyroid conditions to help you prepare questions for your doctor. If something feels off, don’t wait — getting the right tests makes the next steps clear and often brings relief fast.
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