Causes of hyperthyroidism
- Graves' disease, the most common cause
- Toxic nodules or toxic multinodular goiter
- Thyroiditis, a temporary inflammation of the thyroid
- Too much thyroid medicine
Symptoms
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Shaky hands, anxiety or trouble sleeping
- Weight loss despite eating well
- Feeling hot and sweaty
- Frequent bowel movements
- Muscle weakness
Treatment options
- Beta blockers to calm heart rate and shakiness right away
- Antithyroid medicine such as methimazole
- Radioactive iodine to slow the thyroid for good
- Surgery to remove the thyroid in certain cases
The right choice depends on the cause, your age, pregnancy plans, eye symptoms and your preference. Dr. Siddiqui explains the pros and cons of each.