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What Does an Elevated Thyroid Mean?

Hyperthyroidism, or overactive thyroid, is often referred to as an elevated thyroid. This occurs when your thyroid gland secretes excessive amounts of hormones, causing your metabolic rate to increase. This condition is treatable.

  1. Facts

    • An elevated thyroid often refers to the elevated levels of the thyroxine hormone that your thyroid gland produces. This is not to be confused with an elevated TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) level produced by your pituitary gland, which is linked to hypothyroidism.

    Causes

    • According to the Mayo Clinic, elevated thyroxine levels are attributed to hyperfunctioning thyroid nodules, thyroiditis or an autoimmune disorder called Graves' disease.

    Symptoms

    • Symptoms of hyperthyroidism may include increased appetite, weight loss, insomnia, sweating, muscle weakness, anxiety, heart palpitations, a heartbeat that exceeds 100 beats per minute, tremors, heat sensitivity and changes in bowel movements or menstruation.

    Diagnosis

    • A proper diagnosis is made from a combination of a thyroid ultrasound, a radioiodine test and a blood test. Blood test results for hyperthyroid patients will show low TSH levels.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Anti-thyroxine medications are prescribed for mild cases of hyperthyroidism. If you do not respond to these, you may undergo radioiodine treatments to destroy large amounts of thyroxine levels in your thyroid. In rare cases, thyroid surgery is performed.

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