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Hyperthyroidism, is the condition of an overactive thyroid that produces too many hormones. When imbalances in hormones occur, such as too much iodine in the body's system, the thyroid gland responds. As the thyroid works to produce more and more hormones, sometimes the thyroid grows enlarged or becomes inflamed as it over produces hormones. This over activity places you at risk.

Are you at risk for hyperthyroidism? The thyroid gland is part of the endocrine system that consists of the pituitary gland in the brain, the thyroid gland and the ovaries in women and testes in men. The system works together, in close harmony, for your health and well being.

If you have Graves' disease, you are at a very high risk level of developing hyperthyroidism. About 85% of those who develop hyperthyroidism are people with Graves' disease. Graves' disease is an autoimmune disease named after the doctor in Ireland who first described the condition.

Hyperthyroidism tends to run in families. If someone in your family has hyperthyroidism, you may be at high risk and you and family members should be evaluated and tested for thyroid problems.

If you are a woman between the ages of 30 and 50, you are at risk of developing hyperthyroidism. Women are eight times more likely to develop hyperthyroidism than men. A number of conditions can knock the hormones out of balance. Perimenopause, the years before menopause starts, is one factor that causes hormonal imbalance.

Severe stress can also place an added burden on the endocrine system. viral infections can cause inflammation of the thyroid glands causing growth and nodules.

Diagnosis is done by a medical exam and blood tests. The TSH thyroid stimulating hormone is a blood test that shows the level of the iodine molecules, T4 and T3. The numbers represent the number of atoms for each iodine molecule. It shows the level of thyroxine in the blood. Low or no TSH is an indicator of an overactive thyroid.

Other blood tests and imaging tests are used in the diagnosis and determination of treatment for hyperthyroidism. Since hyperthyroid tends to run in families, it is important to have family members tested if thyroid problems are known to exist in the family.

The greatest risk of hyperthyroidism is to let it go undiagnosed and untreated. Once treated, the disease responds well and is rarely fatal. If left untreated it can lead to more serious diseases. There are no general measure to prevent hyperthyroidism.

Resources:
http ://healthonline.com
http://Mayo Clinic.com/health/hyperthyroid ism/DS00344

Learn more about this author, Mona Gallagher.
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