by James Kennedy (Author)
PREVIEW
Hyperthyroidism is a set of disorders that involve excess synthesis and secretion of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland, which leads to the hypermetabolic condition of thyrotoxicosis. [1, 2] The most common forms of hyperthyroidism include diffuse toxic goiter (Graves disease), toxic multinodular goiter (Plummer disease), and toxic adenoma. In thyrotoxicosis, thyroid hormone levels are elevated with or without increased thyroid hormone synthesis. The most common forms of thyrotoxicosis are caused by excess intake of the thyroid hormone medication levothyroxine or result from a temporary excess release of thyroid hormone due to subacute thyroiditis. The most reliable screening measure of thyroid function is the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level. Treatment of hyperthyroidism includes symptom relief, as well as antithyroid pharmacotherapy, radioactive iodine-131 (131I) therapy (the preferred treatment of hyperthyroidism among US thyroid specialists), or thyroidectomy. Thyrotoxicosis from subacute thyroiditis is temporary and self-resolving, and the treatment is also symptom relief.