11 Most Common Symptoms Of Hyperthyroidism
Prevent thyroid storm from happening by knowing the symptoms of hyperthyroidism. Read our list below to find out more.
In this Article:
- An Increase in Blood Sugar
- Itching
- Hair Thinning
- Weight Loss
- Dry Eyes
- Hand Tremor
- Paralysis
- Shortness of Breath
- Problems with Fertility
- Anxiety
- Muscle Weakness
11 Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism You Must Know
1. An Increase in Blood Sugar
Although hyperthyroidism does not have a direct effect on your blood sugar levels, its symptoms affect how your body metabolizes insulin and glucose. If you’re suffering from this disease, insulin clears faster in your body, which leads to a higher blood sugar level
2. Itching
Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism cause itchiness on the skin. In the case of hyperthyroidism, severe chronic itching is what usually happens.
3. Hair Thinning
Regular hair growth has three phases: the growth (anagen), transitional (catagen), and dormant (telogen). When you're suffering from hyperthyroidism, a condition called telogen effluvium interrupts this cycle, causing an abnormal percentage of the hair to shift to the telogen phase. This leads to a disruption of the timing of the cycle, causing hair thinning or loss.
4. Weight Loss
An overactive thyroid triggers a high basal metabolic weight because of the overproduction of thyroid hormones. It simply means your body burns more fats when you are resting, leading to weight loss.
5. Dry Eyes
Dry eyes caused by hyperthyroidism may have the same sensation as that caused by dry eye syndrome but the manifestations are different. Dryness caused by dry eye syndrome normally doesn’t produce tears for lubrication. With hyperthyroidism, it’s the total opposite, and it even produces more tears. The tissues around your eyes start to swell, too, which leads to redness and a dry, gritty feeling.
6. Hand Tremor
The metabolic balance of your body increases when you are experiencing hyperthyroidism. This results in increased energy production of the cells in your body. Because of this, your nervous stimuli also become excessive, leading to a hand tremor.
7. Paralysis
Hyperthyroidism can also cause sudden paralysis, commonly called thyrotoxin periodic paralysis. It attacks your muscles, making you feel muscle stiffness, pain, and cramping. Weakness or paralysis follows this attack, usually happening early in the morning or late at night.
8. Shortness of Breath
Shortness of breath is also one of the symptoms of hyperthyroidism. The high levels of T3 and T4 thyroid hormones cause stress to your heart with massive hormone production. As a result, it leaves you short of breath.
9. Problems with Fertility
Hyperthyroidism may negatively affect fertility in women as the thyroid produces hormones that play a significant role in development and growth. Research showed that 2.3% of women with fertility issues had hyperthyroidism. This health condition also has to do with menstrual irregularity.
10. Anxiety
Increased thyroid production can also affect your emotions as it causes anxiety. The rapid increase in thyroid hormone production can destabilize your emotions, leading to anxiety or even mood swings and irritability.
11. Muscle Weakness
The overproduction of thyroxine, a thyroid hormone, leads to the development of thyrotoxic myopathy. This condition causes muscle tissues to break down and become tender.
These symptoms of hyperthyroidism often occur together, which can be bothersome at times. In case this happens, consult your doctor immediately to have your thyroid gland checked. Assess the signs of hyperthyroidism you or a loved one is experiencing right now and visit your doctor if you think the risk is high.
Which of the listed symptoms of hyperthyroidism are you experiencing? How are you dealing with them? Tell us in the comments section.
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