The most common cause for overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) is Basedow’s disease. The disease is characterised by an increase in the thyroid hormone level resulting from antibodies that stimulate the thyroid. Basedow’s disease can include eye symptoms, such as sensitivity to light, swelling, lachrymation or the flow of tears, double vision and the eyes bulging outwards. The eye symptoms are caused by an autoimmune infection of the tissues behind the eye.
Some less common reasons include overactivity related to multinodular goitre or goitre. Thyroiditis can also involve a temporary increase in the blood thyroid hormone level.
If the overacitivity is not treated, the need for insulin increases and there is a higher risk of osteoporosis. Weight loss can be significant. The blood sugar-lowering medication or insulin dose needs to be increased at the overactivity stage.
Most common symptoms of an overactive thyroid:
Sweating
Heart palpitations or cardiac arrhythmia
Shaking
Accelerated bowel functions and diarrhoea
Hair loss
Weight loss
Deterioration of general condition
Tiredness
Feeling hot or warm skin
Low heat tolerance
The treatment of an overactive thyroid is planned by an endocrinologist or a specialist in internal medicine with relevant expertise.