Suppose you were at home with your family for Christmas and you noticed that a relative had lost a significant amount of weight since you last saw her at Thanksgiving. She told you that she was just diagnosed with a thyroid disease, known as hyperthyroidism, and you have a few questions. Let’s answer them.


The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the lower front part of your neck that influences the normal functioning of the body’s organ systems.

The thyroid controls your body’s functions by producing thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). The amount of these hormones released by the thyroid gland is monitored and controlled by thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) produced by the pituitary gland.

In hypothyroidism, T4 and T3 levels are low, and excess amounts of TSH are produced. We have written about hypothyroidism in a previous column. In hyperthyroidism, though, T4 and T3 levels are high, decreasing the amount of TSH produced.

Any kind of abnormal thyroid functioning can affect your growth and development, metabolism, heart rate, mood, feelings of tiredness and hunger, condition of your hair and skin and ability to sleep.


Hyperthyroidism is essentially an overactive thyroid gland causing the body to “speed up.” The symptoms of hyperthyroidism vary from person to person and can range from severe to no signs or symptoms at all. According to the American Thyroid Association (ATA) and American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE), hyperthyroidism occurs in approximately 1.2 percent of the population in the United States (


Graves’ disease is the most common cause. It is an inheritable autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks its own tissue. The immune system produces antibodies that attach to the cells of the thyroid gland stimulating the gland to produce excess amounts of thyroid hormones. People with Graves’ disease can also have an enlarged thyroid and red, swollen and bulging eyes.

Thyroiditis is an inflammation of the thyroid gland caused by a viral or bacterial infection or excess iodine intake. These infections cause the thyroid gland to temporarily release excess amounts of thyroid hormones into your bloodstream.

Postpartum thyroiditis occurs in women after delivering a baby. These women also have a higher risk of developing hypothyroidism after the hyperthyroidism subsides.

Thyroid nodules are growths on the thyroid gland that may cause the thyroid gland to become enlarged and may appear as a lump on your neck, known as a goiter. Sometimes these nodules can cause your thyroid to increase the production of thyroid hormones.

Drug-related hyperthyroidism is caused by certain medications that cause the thyroid to function abnormally.

Over-treatment with thyroid hormone replacement can also cause symptoms of hyperthyroidism.


Your doctor will decide on your treatment based on several factors including your age, severity of the disease, your overall state of health and the cause of your hyperthyroidism. A radioactive iodine thyroid uptake and scan is often done to determine the cause of hyperthyroidism, and the following treatments are used:

Beta-blockers are medications used to reduce the symptoms of hyperthyroidism such as tremors, nervousness and palpitations.

Antithyroid drugs block the thyroid from producing thyroid hormones and are taken for a period of 12-18 months. These medications may also be used in preparation for surgery or radioactive iodine treatment. Radioactive iodine is a pill taken by mouth that destroys the thyroid. It may take weeks to months for the process to take effect. It is also common to develop hypothyroidism after this treatment requiring daily thyroid hormone replacement.

Surgery may also be performed to remove part of the thyroid gland or to remove the whole gland. This type of treatment can also result in hypothyroidism.

While it may have been alarming to see your relative’s sudden weight loss, and learn of her diagnosis, hyperthyroidism is a manageable disease that requires medications, possible treatment procedures, and regular follow-up with your doctor.


Rosalyn Crawford is a practicing physician at Baptist Endocrinology. She is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism and Internal Medicine.