Hyperthyroidism is a condition where the thyroid releases to much of the hormone into the body. This can be caused by an overactive thyroid or from an infection that causes the thyroid to leak excessive hormones. The infection can be mild or a serious infection. Symptoms of this thyroid disorder can include swollen lymph nodes. The treatment will vary, depending on the cause of hyperthyroidism.
When the thyroid excretes too much thyroid hormone, hyperthyroidism is the result. This can be caused by the gland producing too much of the hormone or the thyroid hormone leaking from the gland. The thyroid is a part of the body’s endocrine system, which is the system that regulates and releases hormones into the body. Other glands that are part of the system include the adrenal gland, ovaries, testes, and pituitary glands.
Risk Factors
What is the risk factor? It is a condition that increases the probability of getting a disease. It is still possible to develop hyperthyroidism without having these risk factors; still, having more of these risk factors increases the chance of acquiring this disease. Risk Factors of hyperthyroidism include the following:
- Diet – Being deficient in iodine can increase the risk of hyperthyroidism
- Age – this factor significantly increases after the age of 34
- Genetic Defects – People may inherit the thyroid problem from their grandparents and not their parents because it has a tendency to skip generations.
- Smoking – a risk factor in many different conditions.
- Medical Conditions – like pregnancy, inflammation from viral, fungal, or bacterial infection
Other Risks
- Overactive thyroid (Graves disease)
- Growth on pituitary gland or thyroid
- Thyroid medication dosage too high
- A tumor on testes or thyroid
When the cause is from inflammation from an infection that doesn’t respond to antibiotics, MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) may be suspected. Lab tests will be administered to determine if MRSA bacteria are present and are causing hyperthyroidism symptoms like swollen lymph glands.
Symptoms
The causes of hyperthyroidism may vary, but the symptoms for all causes are pretty much the same. The symptoms affect metabolism and organ function. Some of the symptoms include the following:
- Unexplained weight loss
- Heart palpitations or rapid heartbeat
- Anxiety and nervousness
- Protruding eyeballs and vision problems
- Problems sleeping
- Becoming out of breath
- Staring gaze
- Frequent bowel movements
- Difficulty concentrating
- Menstruation ceasing or becoming very light
- Warm, sweaty skin
- Loss of weight
- Hand tremors
- Weakness of muscles
- Hair falling out and thinning
When lymph glands are swollen it may mean an infection or maybe even cancer of the thyroid gland. A healthcare professional will be able to do tests to measure the thyroid hormone levels and determine if the symptoms are from hyperthyroidism or other health problem. If the symptoms are from excessive thyroid hormones being released, then the healthcare professional will need to find what the cause is to begin treatment.
Understand – Lymph Node Infection
Treatment
Once hyperthyroidism is diagnosed, the cause will need to be determined so that hyperthyroidism treatment can begin. If the cause is from infection, the infection will need to be located and treated. This will be done with antibiotics and possibly surgery. If there is a growth or tumor on the thyroid gland, it will have to be removed.
The same treatment (Treatments and drugs – mayoclinic.com) will be necessary if there is a growth or tumor on the pituitary gland or testes. When the person is already taking thyroid medication, the dosage may need to be reduced. Graves disease (overactive thyroid) is treated with radiation or surgery. If eye problems dont improve after treatment of Graves disease, then they will need to be treated, also.
Conclusion
Hyperthyroidism is often easily treated, but in the rare case it is caused by staph infection or cancer, the treatment will be more extensive and last longer.