Am I At Risk of Hyperthyroidism?

Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone. This can cause a variety of symptoms, including a rapid or irregular heartbeat, weight loss, difficulties with fertility and sexual function, fatigue, and more. In rare cases, hyperthyroidism can lead to a “thyroid storm”, a life-threatening condition requiring emergency medical care. Could you be at risk from this condition? 

Risk Factors for Hyperthyroidism

Risk factors for hyperthyroidism include:

•  A family history of thyroid problems, particularly Graves’ disease. 

• Being female. Women are two to ten times more likely to have thyroid problems, and around one in eight women will have thyroid problems during her lifetime. 

• A history of certain chronic diseases, including type 1 diabetes, pernicious anemia, and primary adrenal insufficiency. 

• In those who have a genetic susceptibility to thyroid problems such as Graves’ disease, intense stress or trauma can be a trigger. 

• Being a smoker. Smoking raises your risk of Graves’ disease. 

• Having recently had a baby. Pregnancy affects the thyroid gland, and the risk of developing Graves’ disease or thyroiditis (inflammation of the thyroid gland) increases in the year after giving birth. 

What Can I Do about My Risk? 

If you are at risk of hyperthyroidism, there are several steps you can take: 

• Speak to your doctor about testing your thyroid levels with a simple blood test. Doctors don’t recommend that everyone check their thyroid, but people who are at high risk of thyroid problems may benefit from regular tests. 

• If you smoke, stop. Speak to your doctor about the best way for you to quit. 

• Manage your stress. In those with a genetic susceptibility to thyroid problems, periods of intense stress or trauma can trigger thyroid problems. While you can’t always prevent stressful times, you can take action to manage stress. Get regular exercise, eat a healthy diet featuring plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein, get 7-8 hours of sleep a night, and consider starting a meditation practice. Studies show that meditation can help relieve stress and improve mood in as little as a few weeks of daily practice. Popular meditation apps include Headspace and Calm. 

• If you have a history of thyroid problems, tell your doctor if you are or plan to become pregnant. You may require thyroid tests throughout your pregnancy. Your doctor will also monitor your baby for signs of thyroid problems, since these can be passed from mother to child. Thyroid problems in infants can be serious but are easily treated once diagnosed.

While most risk factors for hyperthyroidism are outside of your control, you can help look after your health by not smoking, managing your stress levels, and asking your doctor about any tests you should receive. If you experience hyperthyroidism, know that there are many effective treatments, and in most cases, symptoms improve within weeks.

"This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something Phillips Pharmacy may earn a commission at no extra cost to you."

Trusted Resources

The Hypothyroidism Solution

Hypothyroidism - #1 Cause of Weight Gain

ABOUT AUTHOR

BETTER HEALTH & BEYOND EDITORIAL TEAM

At Phillips Pharmacy Online our vision is to be an integral part in transforming the way that healthcare is delivered in Barbados & beyond. We are a group of passionate people working hard to make a big positive impact on the lives of people. We work with Doctors, Pharmacists, Pharmaceutical Suppliers and most importantly, with You, to improve the health of all.

                                              

Learn more at: https://phillipspharmacy.org

Call,Text or WhatsApp at (246) 232-9069.

Join us on                             

         

Check out our latest e-book offerings!

Improve Health 

Understand Nutrition 

And visit our Online Store.

Disclaimer of Medical Advice:

You understand that the blog posts and comments to such blog posts (whether posted by us, our agents or bloggers, or by users) do not constitute medical advice or recommendation of any kind, and you should not rely on any information contained in such posts or comments to replace consultations with your qualified health care professionals to meet your individual needs.