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Main > Specialty Areas > Endocrinology >
What is Hyperthyroidism?
Our body is one perfect machine that works 24x7 nonstop in the same manner, at the same speed day after day. It is when this routine is disrupted; we are no longer at ease, hence the term Disease. In a healthy body, the Thyroid produces just the right amount of hormones T4 and T3, which as a team regulate many aspects of our metabolism, eventually affecting how many calories we burn, how warm we feel, and how much we weigh. To be precise, thyroid is the king of metabolism. T3 and T4 hormones also have direct effects on most organs, including the heart, which beats faster and harder under the influence of thyroid hormones. Essentially all cells in the body will respond to changes in thyroid hormone with a change in the rate at which they conduct their business.
Hyperthyroidism is the medical term to describe the signs and symptoms associated with an over production of thyroid hormone. Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which an overactive thyroid gland is producing an excessive amount of thyroid hormones, T3 and T4, which circulate in the blood. Thyrotoxicosis is a toxic condition that is caused by an excess of thyroid hormones from any cause. Thyrotoxicosis can be caused by an excessive intake of thyroid hormone or by overproduction of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland. These two terms are often used interchangeably.
Hyperthyroidism is caused by the effects of too much thyroid hormone on tissues of the body. There are many underlying causes of hyperthyroidism which will be discussed on subsequent pages.
| The thyroid gland is located in the lower neck just above your collarbones. It is very small - in its normal, non-inflammed state it may not always be felt from the outside. The thyroid gland manufactures the thyroid hormone which regulates the rate at which the body carries on its necessary functions. |
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| Random Useful Tip: |
Epinephrine shot If you are known to have a severe anaphylactic reaction, carry an epinephrine (adrenaline) shot with you at all times. Pay attention to expiration date and replace it regularly: upon expiration, it loses its effectiveness. |
| Random Drug Info: |
Levothyroxine Levothyroxine is a pure synthetic form of T4 hormone that is made in a laboratory to be an exact replacement for the T4 that the human thyroid gland normally secretes. It comes in multiple strengths, which means that an appropriate dosage can almost always be found for each patient. |
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