Hyperthyroidism

When To Call A Professional

Call your doctor if you have symptoms of hyperthyroidism, including constant feelings of anxiety, tremors, trouble sleeping, abnormal sweating or unusual sensitivity to warm temperatures, abnormally frequent bowel movements, palpitations, shortness of breath, weight loss (in spite of a normal or increased appetite), muscle weakness or menstrual irregularities.

Prognosis

In people treated with 12 to 24 months of anti-thyroid drugs, up to one-half have prolonged remissions of their illness. Radioactive iodide is an effective treatment. Most people will develop an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) following radioactive iodine treatment. This condition is easily treated with a single pill of thyroid replacement medication daily.

Additional Info

Thyroid Foundation of America, Inc. 410 Stuart St. Boston, MA 02116 Toll-Free: (800) 832-8321 Fax: (617) 534-1515 http://www.tsh.org/

American Thyroid Association, Inc. 6066 Leesburg Pike, Suite 650 Falls Church, VA 22041 Fax: (718) 882-6085 http://www.thyroid.org/