Thyrotoxicosis is an increase in thyroid hormone levels in the blood which causes a number of symptoms ranging from tremors, increased heart rate, to weight loss. This condition is more common in women than men. One of the causes of thyrotoxicosis is hyperthyroidism.
Thyrotoxicosis is often confused with hyperthyroidism, which is a condition when the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone. In fact, increased thyroid hormone in thyrotoxicosis can occur due to other conditions, such as thyroiditis, which is a group of diseases that cause inflammation of the thyroid gland.
Thyrotoxicosis will be characterized by increased levels of the hormones thyroxine (T4) and triodothyronine (T3) in the blood. thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) showed a decrease.
Causes of Thyrotoxicosis
Thyrotoxicosis is generally caused by hyperthyroidism, which is a condition when the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone. Some of the causes of thyrotoxicosis are:
1. Graves' disease
Graves' disease is the most common cause of thyrotoxicosis. The autoimmune disorder in Graves' disease causes the body to produce too much thyroid hormone.
2. Thyrotropin-secreting pituitary adenoma
Thyrotropin-secreting pituitary adenoma is a tumor on the pituitary gland that releases thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), which is a hormone that triggers the production of thyroid hormone. As a result, there is an excess of thyroid hormone in the body.
3. Thyroid nodules
Nodules or lumps can form on the thyroid gland and affect the amount of thyroid hormone produced. These lumps can grow singly (toxic nodular adenoma) or more than one (toxic multinodular goiter).
4. Ovarian goiter
Ovarian goiter is a very rare uterine tumor. Tumor cells in the goiter ovarii are mostly formed from thyroid tissue.
5. Thyroid hormone and iodine supplements
Thyroid and iodine supplements are needed for people with hypothyroidism. However, if the dose is too excessive, people with hypothyroidism can actually develop thyrotoxicosis.
In addition to the above causes, increased levels of excess thyroid hormone can occur due to:
- Metastatic follicular thyroid cancer
- Ovarian teratoma germ cell tumor
- Side effects of exogenous amiodarone, lithium, and iodine drugs
- Pregnant wine
Thyrotoxicosis can also be caused by other conditions unrelated to hyperthyroidism, namely thyroiditis or inflammation of the thyroid gland. In one type of thyroiditis, subacute thyroiditis, the inflammatory condition can cause the thyroid gland to release too much thyroid hormone into the bloodstream.
Symptoms of Thyrotoxicosis
Thyroid hormones have many important functions for the body, ranging from regulating metabolism, body temperature, heart rate, to the menstrual cycle. Therefore, excessive thyroid hormone levels can cause symptoms such as:
- Tremor in hand
- Skin feels warm and moist
- Losing weight despite increasing appetite
- Frequent sweating and feeling hot
- Heart palpitations (palpitations)
- Faster heart rate (tachycardia)
- Anxious
- muscle weakness
- Menstrual cycle disorders, including late menstruation
- Protruding eyeballs (exophthalmos)
When to go to the doctor
Immediately see a doctor if you experience the above symptoms or other symptoms related to hyperthyroidism and thyroiditis. It is important that you clearly describe your symptoms to your doctor, because the symptoms of thyrotoxicosis can be similar to those of other conditions.
If you have been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism or thyroiditis, check yourself regularly with your doctor so that the doctor can monitor the progress of your condition.
Thyrotoxicosis Diagnosis
The doctor will ask the patient about the symptoms they are experiencing and the medications they are currently taking. After that, the doctor will check the patient's pulse and see if the patient's thyroid gland is enlarged.
To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor will perform several supporting examinations, such as:
- Blood tests, to measure levels of F3, F4, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) , and to see the levels of certain antibodies in thyroiditis or Graves' disease
- Thyroid ultrasound, to get a clearer picture of the condition of the thyroid gland
Thyrotoxicosis Treatment
Treatment of thyrotoxicosis aims to relieve symptoms and normalize thyroid hormone production. Some of the treatment methods are:
Drugs
Types of drugs used in patients with thyrotoxicosis include:
- Antithyroid drugs, such as methimazole and propylthiouracil
- Radioactive iodine in capsule or liquid form
- Beta blockers, such as propranolol or atenolol
Operation
The operation performed on patients with thyrotoxicosis is thyroidectomy, which is the act of removing part or all of the thyroid gland. Thyroidectomy is performed in the following conditions:
- Patients with a very large goiter or who have eye problems
- Pediatric patients with severe hyperthyroidism
- Patients who refuse to undergo radioactive iodine therapy
- Patients who cannot take antithyroid drugs
- Patients who require a rapid decrease in thyroid hormone levels to normal levels, for example pregnant women, women planning a pregnancy, or patients with unstable heart conditions
Complications Thyrotoxicosis
Thyrotoxicosis that has been treated with surgery and administration of radioactive iodine can trigger hypothyroidism. In addition, increased levels of thyroid hormone during pregnancy can increase the risk of pregnancy complications.
Prevention of Thyrotoxicosis
Thyrotoxicosis cannot be prevented. If you suffer from hyperthyroidism or other diseases that can trigger hyperthyroidism, do treatment and control regularly to the doctor.
As described above, thyrotoxicosis can also be caused by thyroiditis. If you have an illness that requires treatment with radioactive iodine therapy or radiotherapy, talk to your doctor about your risk of developing thyroiditis, thereby reducing your risk of developing thyrotoxicosis.
