The thyroid gland is an organ in the neck that controls how cells use energy. When the thyroid is overactive, it can cause anxiety, irritability, insomnia, irregular heartbeat, tremor, sensitivity to heat and frequent bowel movements, according to MayoClinic.com. In other words, many of the body's function are sped up. A patient experiencing these symptoms should schedule an appointment with his doctor to determine the cause of an overactive thyroid.
Graves' Disease
MayoClinic.com states that Graves' disease is the most common form of overactive thyroid. Graves' disease occurs when the immune systems attacks the thyroid gland and causes it to make to much thyroid hormone, or thyroxine. High thyroxine levels in the body increase the body's metabolic rate and results in symptoms of overactive thyroid. This condition is rarely life-threatening and more prevalent in women after the age of 20. There is not treatment to stop the immune system's attack on the thyroid gland. Medications and surgery, however, may be used to reduce symptoms. A doctor may prescribe, beta-blocker, anti-thyroid medications or radioactive iodine to treat symptoms. If medications do not work, the surgical removal of the thyroid gland may be necessary.
Goiter
The thyroid gland may grow larger than normal and produce more thyroid hormone that results in overactive thyroid, says MayoClinic.com. Most cases of goiter are painless, but a large goiter may make breathing or swallowing difficult. Furthermore, the most common cause of goiter is iodine deficiency. Goiter is rare in the United States because Americans use iodized salt. Goiter is fairly benign and is first treated conservatively. A doctor may prescribe anti-thyroid medications if too much thyroxine is being produced. If medications are ineffective, surgery may be necessary to remove the goiter.
Thyroid Hormones
In some cases, taking too much thyroid medication may cause an overactive thyroid, states Medline Plus. Patients with hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid, may need to take thyroid hormone replacement therapy to keep thyroid hormones balanced. Too much medication can overstimulate the thyroid gland and result in an overactive thyroid. Thus a patient experiencing, weight loss, anxiety, sensitivity to heat and other symptoms of overactive thyroid should schedule an appointment with the doctor for a medication adjustment. The doctor may reduce the dosage of the thyroid medication or prescribe a different medication that will not result in too much stimulation of the thyroid gland.
