Mild hyperthyroidism, or overactive thyroid, may not be bothersome at first, but is helpful to know the signs in case you have it.
The thyroid gland is located at the based of the neck, and its function is to produce thyroid hormones to regulate metabolism. When the thyroid goes into overdrive and produces too much hormone, it is said to be overactive and a person's metabolism will be faster than normal.
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Mild hyperthyroidism is sometimes also called subclinical hyperthyroidism. Subclinical hyperthyroidism means you do not have the classic
symptoms of hyperthyroidism, explains the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Here five signs of mild hyperthyroidism:
1. Abnormal hormone levels
With full-blown hyperthyroidism, blood tests usually indicate high levels of thyroid hormone and low levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), a hormone released by the pituitary gland to signal more production of thyroid hormone. Mild hyperthyroidism can show low levels of TSH even though levels of thyroid hormone are within the normal range,
says WebMD.
2. Weight loss
WebMD explains that because the metabolism is speeding up, patients with mild hyperthyroidism may experience some unexplained weight loss even though the calorie intake is not significantly different and the appetite has not decreased.
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3. Anxiety
Some patients with mild hyperthyroidism will have feelings of anxiety, says WebMD. This feeling can get worse as hyperthyroidism becomes more severe over time.
4. Irregular heartbeat
Also called atrial fibrillation, irregular heartbeat is more common in adults over the age of 65 who have subclinical hyperthyroidism, says the AAFP.
5. Bone loss
The AAFP explains that hyperthyroidism can make bones weaker, resulting in osteoporosis. For women with mild hyperthyroidism who have already gone through menopause, bone loss could be more significant.
Dr. Daniel Drucker, professor of medicine and member of the Endocrinology Division at the University of Toronto,
says on his website MyThyroid.com that there is debate in the clinical community about treating mild hyperthyroidism since, especially in younger adults, the condition is asymptomatic and well-tolerated. He says that each case warrants careful individual evaluation to weigh the risks and benefits of treatment.
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