High thyroid, or hyperthyroidism, is a condition in which the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone, or thyroxine, states MayoClinic.com. The thyroid gland is located in the front of the neck. Conditions, such as Graves' disease, goiter, excessive intake of synthetic thyroid hormones or inflammation of the thyroid gland can cause hyperthyroidism, according to Medline Plus, a publication of the National Institutes of Health. Thus, a patient should know the symptoms of high thyroid hormone levels to know when to seek medical treatment.
Weight Loss
Weight loss is a common associated symptom of hyperthyroidism, states MayoClinic.com. This occurs because thyroxine is a hormone that controls how quickly the body's cells use energy. When thyroxine is high, the body uses energy to quickly, which results in weight loss. A patient may notice that he is losing weight without a change in diet or exercise habits. Because there are other causes of weight loss, he should schedule an appointment with his doctor for the proper diagnosis and treatment. The doctor will likely take blood levels of thyroxine to determine if the patient has hyperthyroidism. Other tests may be necessary to determine the cause. In this case, antithyroid medications may be prescribed to counteract the effects of thyroxine. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary.
Enlarged Thyroid Gland
The patient may notice an enlargement in his neck if he has hyperthyroidism, states MayoClinic.com. This occurs because the thyroid may grow to continue producing high levels of thyroxine. The most common cause of goiter is a high level of thyroid stimulating hormone that is produced in the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland is located at the base of the brain, and regulates the levels of various hormones in the body, including thyroid hormone. A goiter may be painless, but may make breathing and swallowing difficult if it becomes too large. Thus, a patient should schedule an appointment with his doctor if he notices a neck enlargement. The doctor will determine the cause of the neck enlargement and treat accordingly.
Heartbeat Symptoms
An irregular heartbeat is a common symptom associated with high thyroid levels, according to MayoClinic.com. In addition, tachycardia, or a rapid heartbeat is experienced in patients with hyperthyroidism. Tachycardia is defined as a heart rate greater than 100 beats per minute. A patient may also notice palpitations, or a pounding heart beat. These changes in heartbeat occur because high levels of thyroxine can speed up the heart and make it work harder. Controlling levels of thyroxine with medications or surgical removal of the thyroid gland can reduce heart symptoms.
