Other Names:
Overactive Thyroid

Symptoms:
Fatigue; insomnia; intolerance; irritability; increased perspiration; constantly feeling hot; frequent bowel movements; hair and weight loss; nails separate from nail bed; change in skin thickness; hand tremors; intolerance of heat; rapid heartbeat; goiter; and, sometimes, protruding eyeballs. In women, there may also be less frequent menstruation and decreased flow.


Cause:
Hypothyroidism is caused by an underactive thyroid, and results in a slow metabolism and all it brings with it. Hyperthyroidism is the opposite: The thyroid is overactive; metabolism is too fast, and that brings its own problems. The thyroid gland is producing too much thyroxine.

Sometimes called thyrotoxicosis, hyperthyroidism is not a simple problem to deal with. Graves' disease is the most common form of it, which 2.5 million Americans have.

A detailed discussion of the thyroid is found in our article on Hypothyroidism (which see), which is far more common. Both affect women more often than men. When the thyroid does not work properly, a variety of different physical problems can develop.

In fact, the word, "hypochondriac," was coined many years ago, to describe these strange people who have all kinds of things wrong with them, when they do not seem to have anything wrong with them. Surely, it must all be in their heads! Well, it was in their throats. We now know those people had under or overactive thyroids.

Infection of the thyroid or certain prescription drugs can temporarily produce hyperthyroidism.

Treatment:
• The eating of kelp helps every type of thyroid problem, including hyperthyroidism. Kelp is a rich source of iodine and thyroxine. The hormone produced by the thyroid is almost pure iodine.

• Genuine sea salt is another worthwhile source of iodine (see Hypothyroidism).

• Deficiencies of vitamins C and E can result in overproduction of the thyroid hormone.

• Eat lots of the cabbage family of foods (broccoli, cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts, mustard greens), for they tend to suppress the thyroid function. The same is said to hold true for peaches and pears.

• Cut down on dairy products and avoid nicotine, alcohol, caffeine, soft drinks, and processed and junk food.

• The pituitary, parathyroids, and sexual functions work closely together, and they are affected by the thyroid. Problems in one area can affect them all.

• Radioactive sodium iodine (iodine 131, also called I-131) may be recommended, but know that it can cause severe side effects.

• Do not be quick to try surgery on your thyroid. You have enough problems without doing that.