Contents:
- Medical Video: Hyperthyroidism - What You Need To Know
- What are the causes of hyperthyroidism?
- Primary hyperthyroidism
- Secondary hyperthyroidism
- What are the symptoms of hyperthyroidism?
- What should I do if I find the above symptoms?
- How do you treat hyperthyroidism?
- 1. Tirostatics (anti-thyroid medication)
- 2. Radioactive iodine
- 3. Thyroidectomy (thyroid surgery)
Medical Video: Hyperthyroidism - What You Need To Know
The thyroid gland is located in the lower part of the neck, consists of two parts and is joined by a "bridge" called ismus which covers the second and third throat bones. This gland produces thyroxine hormone which is needed by almost all bodily processes, including regulation of temperature, metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, fats and vitamin A. This hormone also affects the work of organs such as the heart, digestion, muscles, and nervous system.
Disorders of thyroxine hormone production are divided into two: too much hormone production (hyperthyroidism) or too little hormone production (hypothyroid). Hyperthyroidism is a collection of symptoms caused by excessive production of thyroid hormones, whereas thyrotoxicosis is a symptom that arises due to excessive circulation of thyroid hormone in the blood. In Indonesia, the prevalence of hyperthyroidism ranges from 6.9%, and this disease is more common in women.
What are the causes of hyperthyroidism?
Hyperthyroidism is usually divided into primary and secondary hyperthyroidism. Generally hyperthyroidism is caused by Graves' disease, toxic multinodular goiter, and toxic adenoma, although there are still many other diseases that can cause it
Primary hyperthyroidism
- Graves disease
- Toxic multinodular goiter
- Toxic adenoma
- Medicine: excess iodine, lithium
- Thyroid cancer
Secondary hyperthyroidism
- Thyroid hormone resistance
- Thyrotoxicosis in pregnancy (first trimester)
- TSH-Secreting tumor
What are the symptoms of hyperthyroidism?
Symptoms of hyperthyroidism are divided into two: general symptoms, and symptoms specific to the organs of the body where this hormone works. Common symptoms include: heat resistance, fatigue, neck enlargement, weight loss, frequent hunger, frequent bowel movements. While specific symptoms, as follows:
- Digestive system: lots of eating, thirst, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, enlarged lymph.
- Reproductive system: impaired menstrual cycle, decreased libido, infertility, gynecomastia in men.
- Skin: excessive sweating, wet skin, hair loss.
- Psychic and nervous: labile, irritable, difficulty sleeping, trembling hands.
- Heart: heart palpitations, heart rhythm disorders, hypertension, heart failure.
- Muscle and bone system: fatigue, bone pain, osteoporosis.
In Graves' disease, other symptoms are usually found, such as swelling in the shin of the foot, protruding eyeballs, decreased vision, double vision and injury in the cornea of the eye.
What should I do if I find the above symptoms?
Immediately seek treatment from a doctor or nearest health center if you experience the above symptoms, usually the doctor will do some additional examinations to make a diagnosis. Additional checks that are often carried out are:
- Examination of thyroid function (TSH and thyroid hormone). TSH is produced in a part of the brain called the pituitary, and serves to stimulate the thyroid gland to release its hormones. In hyperthyroidism TSH levels are usually found to decrease and thyroid hormones are increased.
- Ultrasound. Ultrasound serves to see the presence of nodules, size, shape, and distinguish them from cysts.
- Thyroid scan. This test aims to determine the causes of hyperthyroidism. The patient is injected with iodine isotope, then done scanning to see thyroid response. Nodules that produce excessive hormones are called hot nodules, usually cancerous, although there are also some cold nodules that are cancerous.
How do you treat hyperthyroidism?
Treatment of hyperthyroidism can be grouped in 3 forms: thyrostatic, radioactive iodine, and thyroidectomy.
1. Tirostatics (anti-thyroid medication)
This drug serves to inhibit thyroid hormone synthesis and suppress the autoimmune process. Giving this drug initially in the largest dose or according to clinical, then lowered to the lowest dose where thyroid hormones are still within normal limits. Side effects of this drug are skin rashes, itching, allergies, muscle & joint pain.
Drug examples: propylthiouracil (PTU), metimazole, carbimazole
2. Radioactive iodine
Radioiodine in small doses can damage the thyroid gland and improve symptoms of hyperthyroidism. This treatment has several advantages such as fast and easy to do and low recurrence rates. The disadvantage is that hypothyroidism can occur after therapy (50%).
This treatment is not recommended for pregnant women, or those planning a pregnancy in the next 6 months.
3. Thyroidectomy (thyroid surgery)
Thyroid surgery can be done in total or partially (partially). This option is made if the following indications are found:
- Severe hyperthyroidism in children
- Patients who do not recover with anti-thyroid drugs
- Swelling of the thyroid gland or severe eye symptoms
- Patients who need rapid recovery, such as pregnant women, mothers planning a pregnancy within 6 months or people with unstable heart disease
The advantage of this method is that many patients with normal thyroid function postoperatively without the symptoms of hypothyroidism. The disadvantage is that the recurrence rate is quite high and requires regular long-term treatment.
Another drug that is often given to hyperthyroidism is beta-blockers. This drug serves to reduce symptoms of hyperthyroidism such as palpitations, trembling hands and others. Examples of these drugs are propranolol and metoprolol.
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