What causes an overactive thyroid(hyperthyroidism)? What are its treatments?


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There are several causes. The most common is Graves disease. This is an autoimmune disorder where your body produces antibodies which attack your thyroid gland and stimulate it to over-produce thyroid hormone.

Other causes include benign nodules and thyroid cancer. Another cause is thyroiditis. This is usually caused by an infection (usually viral) which briefly causes overactive thyroid function before burning out and leading to HYPOthyroidism.

Tests that are done to find out are thyroid function studies (blood tests), ultrasound, and nuclear imaging studies. Sometimes a biopsy is necessary.

There are pills which decrease the amount of overproduced thyroid hormone. Often a nuclear ablation is done using radioactive iodine which kills the overactive thyroid tissue. If your heart rate is elevated you will require a medicine to help control it.
not enough iodine in the diet, or too much soya which is a goitrogen and stops you absorbing iodine which is found in seaweed.


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