Do you know what causes hyperthyroidism? Do you know the signs and symptoms to watch out for with hyperthyroidism? Thyroid glands are responsible for producing two hormones called T3 and T4. The right amounts of these hormones are responsible for regulating our bodies and metabolism. These hormones are also responsible for our weight gain or weight loss, and how many calories we burn through our metabolic rate. Basically, the thyroid controls our metabolic processes within our bodies.

Did you know that the number of times your heart beats is dependent on how your thyroid is functioning? The heart is regulated by hormones, and if the hormones in your thyroid are not working properly, your heart can beat faster and irregularly. If your heart beats faster, it is due to our thyroidal hormones being out of whack. Our bodies and cells function according to how our thyroidal hormones are acting at any given time.

Hyperthyroidism is caused by the thyroid glands excreting too many thyroidal hormones. There may be many different reasons for hyperthyroidism to occur, but every person that has hyperthyroidism has the same exact signs and symptoms.

What Causes Hyperthyroidism?

Hyperthyroidism is in many cases caused by Grave’s Disease. Grave’s Disease causes the thyroid gland to enlarge, which then causes the thyroid to excrete an excess of thyroidal hormones. Grave’s Disease is an autoimmune disease, causing a person’s immune system to attack and fight their own thyroid gland. Excess amounts of the thyroidal hormone are then secreted.

Hyperactivity of the entire thyroid gland is not always responsible for hyperthyroidism. A single nodule inside the thyroid gland can also cause hyperthyroidism. These nodules are lumps or excess tissue masses in the thyroid glands, and can sometimes cause cancer. If the lumps are cancerous, the excess amounts of hormones secreted at that stage is called “Toxic Nodular Goiter”.

Thyroiditis, another cause of hyperthyroidism, is a very painful inflammation of the thyroid glands caused by a virus or bacteria.

Hyperthyroidism Signs and Symptoms

People that have hyperthyroidism tend to eat more and gain weight due to an appetite increase. They may also have a higher-than-normal body temperature and be exhausted at the day’s end. Irritability and anger can also be signs of hyperthyroidism.

Other symptoms of hyperthyroidism are more frequent bowel movements, loss of weight, hair loss, being nervous, unable to sleep, heart palpitations, trembling hands, and weak muscles.