Hypertyreósa

Hypertyreósa, also known as an overactive thyroid, is a medical condition where the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone. The thyroid gland, located in the neck, produces hormones that regulate metabolism, affecting heart rate, body temperature, and energy levels. When there is an excess of these hormones, these bodily functions can accelerate.

Common causes of hypertyreósa include Graves' disease, an autoimmune disorder where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland, stimulating it to produce more hormones. Other causes can include toxic multinodular goiter, where nodules on the thyroid gland produce excess hormones, and thyroiditis, inflammation of the thyroid gland that can temporarily release stored thyroid hormones.

Symptoms of hypertyreósa can vary but often include rapid or irregular heartbeat, unexplained weight loss, increased appetite, nervousness, anxiety, irritability, tremors, excessive sweating, and heat intolerance. In some cases, individuals may also experience changes in menstrual patterns, eye problems (like bulging eyes in Graves' disease), and goiter, an enlargement of the thyroid gland.

Diagnosis typically involves a physical examination, blood tests to measure thyroid hormone levels (T3 and T4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and sometimes imaging tests like a thyroid scan or ultrasound. Treatment aims to reduce the amount of thyroid hormone produced and can include antithyroid medications, radioactive iodine therapy, or surgery to remove part or all of the thyroid gland. The chosen treatment depends on the cause, severity, and individual patient factors.