3 of 4

Write now Article Tools

Goiter is hyperthyroidism that is manifested by growth of the thyroid glands. I am glad it was not in my case in the late 1970s. Mine was a non-manifesting hyperthyroidism. It's hardly detectable and you'll not be sure about it until undergoing tests. I was fortunate to have been diagnosed by a knowledgeable doctor on the symptoms, at that time when I was training as a medical representative.

There mere shaking of my hands made him diagnose me. He thought that I was nervous because my hands were shaking when I was holding a product sample for him. I said I wasn't nervous and told him that it is my being "pasmado" (this is in our language and has no English medical equivalent term or word). "Hah!" he said, "there's no such medical condition!"

It was funny because instead of continuing my promotions to him he diagnosed my case. My supervisor was smiling because my condition got the doctors attention and it would be good for our purpose. He continued to interview me and asked the following questions that would verify if I had a hyperthyroid:

1.Do you sweat or perspire easily especially on your palms? Yes.
2.Do you easily get tired or fatigued? Yes.
3.Are there times you feel nervous for no obvious reason? Yes.
4.Do you feel increased heart rate or heart beat on some occasions? Yes.

He also asked where I hail from. Our place is a mountain city with lots of vegetables and he knows that cabbage is a common dish. He said that's the reason why many in our city suffer from goiter because of lack of iodine and the use of iodized salt. If I understood it right, as it was quite some time ago, cabbage causes depletion of iodine.

After that, he checked my pulse then looked at the side of my face. "Hmmm" he said, "hyperthyroidism is still in the early stage, your eyes are not bulging." He went on to feel the lower sides of my neck near my Adam's apple. The doctor noted that there was some swelling but it will not be goiter. He then asked me to stretch both of my arms in front of me. "There, he said, look at both of your arms. Both have mild tremors." His diagnosis might not be conclusive enough, he said. He instructed me then to undergo T3 and T4 tests at a hospital to confirm it. The test results were conclusive that I, indeed, had hyperthyroidism. It was only then that I was prescribed medications for treatment.

I also learned that there are some cases of hyperthyroidism that causes weight gain, sometimes a cause of obesity, coupled with an obvious bulging of both eyes. For those who read this and feel or see the symptoms, there are now more advanced tests for hyperthyroidism, it is best to undergo them to verify the condition.

Learn more about this author, rbnstr08.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Diagnosing hyperthyroidism?
We want to hear your view. Write now!