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What is hyperthyroidism and how do we diagnose hyperthyroidism? What are the physical symptoms we should watch out for to ensure that we get our condition diagnosed as soon as possible before the situation gets out of hand?

Hyperthyroidism is a condition of the body whereby three hormones Free T3, Free T4 and TSH go berserk in the body and causes sudden and noticeable changes in the body. Blood tests reveal and confirm diagnosis. When Free T3 increases beyond the normal range of 3.5-6.5 pmol/L and Free T4 increases beyond the normal range of 0.71-1.85 ng/dl, TSH falls below the normal range of 0.35-5.50, you will notice severe physical indications which probably would have built up gradually in a few months.

The first physical symptoms of hyperthyroidism are:

# Sudden extreme weight loss
# Heart palpitations
# Loss of appetite
# Feelings of sluggishness or anxiety
# Bulging and dry eyes
# Tremors in the hands and lower arms
# Inability to sleep long hours

# Sudden extreme weight loss
In any thyroid-related disorder, the most noticeable change in a person's physique is the sudden change in weight. In a person suspected with hyperthyroidism, the weight would plunge within weeks. This is highly noticeable in a woman who has just given birth and yet, the least unsuspected as weight loss is an expected phenomena after child birth, especially when the woman breastfeeds.

# Heart palpitations
Coupled with sudden and prolonged heart palpitations is breathlessness. In certain cases, the person feels as if a heart attack or heart failure is possible at any moment but he is usually at a loss to what to do next.

# Loss of appetite
Despite the sudden weight loss, the person with suspected hyperthyroidism is unlikely to feel good about eating and this loss of appetite sometimes confuses the layman, as the inability to eat usually results in weight loss.

# Feelings of sluggishness or anxiety
A person suspected of hyperthyrodism is often in a state of mental disarray as well. Sluggishness often alternates with anxiety, as the person is often unable to focus his attention on even the simplest of tasks and may easily lose track of time and of the task on hand. As he is often unable to complete even the simplest of tasks efficiently, it often leads to a feeling of helplessness and hence anxiety, especially if the person has always been a high achiever.

# Bulging and dry eyes
The eyes are described as the windows to our inner self. This description is especially true for a person suspected with hyperthyroidism. The eye balls may feel abnormally dry even though tears may flow occasionally. In certain extreme cases of hyperthyroidism, the eye balls may even protrude out of the eye sockets, no matter how small the eyes are compared with the other features of the face.

# Trembling of the hands and lower arms
In the case of hyperthyroidism, a person will find it difficult to stretch out both arms at right angles to the chest, without feeling the slightest trembling in the hands or lower arms. It is this tremble that complicates matters for one who is already feeling anxious and yet is also too sluggish to get work completed.

# Inability to sleep long hours
Coupled with anxiety are short durations of sleep. The person often finds himself awakening after two or three hours of sleep to find himself tired again two or three hours later.

When any of the above first appears, it is important for the person to monitor himself for the other described symptoms and to consult the doctor as soon as possible. A blood test on the levels of Free T3, Free T4 and TSH is usually sufficient to confirm if hyperthyroidism is present. Another test on TRAb level in the blood will confirm the seriousness of the condition.

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