Hyperthyroidism And Thyroid Cancer

Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is the fraternal twin of Hypothyroidism. While Hypothyroidism is caused by too little T3, Hyperthyroidism is caused by too much T3. It's still relatively common, and - like it's opposite partner - usually fairly easy to treat. Treatment comes in three forms: with treatment with anti-thyroid medication, such as Carbimazole, by radioiodine treatment, and by full or partial removal of the thyroid (which then necessitates taking artificial thyroid hormone, Levothyroxine).

Most commonly, people with Hyperthyroidism are hyperactive and full of energy. However fatigue, even exhaustion, is the very-common corollary of this, perhaps caused by all the cells working overtime.

Other common symptoms include:

• unexplained weight loss,
• racing thoughts,
• ravenous hunger, all the time,
• palpitations,
• shortness of breath,
• dry thin skin
• feeling warm; excessive sweating,
• muscle weakness,
• loss of libido,
• absent periods,
• unexplained infertility,
• aches and pains; muscle weakness,
• mood swings,
• painful, dry or gritty eyes,
• red palms,
• irregular or fast heartbeat,
• tremor (trembling or shaking)

Hyperthyroidism has many symptoms in common with hypothyroidism, and is occasionally preferred by patients because you can lose a large amount of weight in a very short space of time with no dieting. I'm even aware of people who asked not to be treated until after a big event where they wanted to look nice. But it's dangerous to not treat hyperthyroidism, putting you at risk of potentially-deadly heart arrhythmias and sudden cardiac arrest. So, if you have some of the symptoms above,  go to the doctor and get checked out.

Thyroid Cancer

Ah, "the big C", and one unfortunately likely to be misdiagnosed for some time, because so many of its symptoms seem completely innocuous.

The main symptom is a usually painless-lump right below your Adam's apple (yes - women have Adam's apples, but they're smaller than a man's and not prominent). Sometimes, if the cancer affects the lymph nodes, they can become swollen too. Other than that, there are generally no symptoms of thyroid cancer until the disease is starting to advance.

Then, there are symptoms, which include:

• A pain in the neck,
• Difficulty swallowing, or a feeling of fullness in the throat,
• Unexplained hoarseness that remains after a few weeks.
• Sore throat/throat pain, especially if it remains for more than a couple of weeks

If you notice a swelling in the neck, you should go to see your doctor. You should also see a doctor if you have the above symptoms without an obvious swelling in the neck.

READ Hashimoto's Disease & Hyperthyroidism

Be reassured that, even if you notice a swelling in the neck, it's almost-certainly not cancer. Only 1 in 20 of lumps in the throat are cancerous with most of the rest being caused by goitres related to Hypo- or Hyperthyroidism. Even if you are diagnosed with thyroid cancer, you should be reassured that many are slow-growing and treatable, and that thyroid cancer has a survival rate of up to 95%, depending on the type of the cancer.

The Takeaway Message

Many Thyroid conditions are completely treatable. But, in order to be treated, they have to be diagnosed. If you notice the symptoms that have been discussed throughout this article, especially if they have persisted for three weeks or more, it's time to go to the doctor.

You might save your own life.