Hyperthyroidism, unlike Hypothyroidism, is due to overactivity of the thyroid gland. It can have disastrous effects on one’s overall health. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the neck that regulates metabolism, heart rate, organ function, muscle control, and menstruation.
Symptoms Associated with Hyperthyroidism
The symptoms of hyperthyroidism can easily be mistaken for other conditions, such as stress or cardiac problems. They include:
- Elevated anxiety
- Increased sweating or sensitivity to heat
- Interruption of menstrual cycles
- Abnormal or rapid heartbeat
- Fatigue and muscle weakness throughout the body
- Disordered sleep patterns
- Increased appetite accompanied by unexplained weight loss
Misdiagnosis often leads to delays in proper treatment, compounding the problems of an overactive thyroid.
Causes of Hyperthyroidism
The vast majority of hyperthyroidism is caused by the autoimmune disorder Grace’s disease, in which the immune system stimulates the thyroid to overproduce the regulatory hormones, causing the symptoms mentioned above.
Hyperthyroidism can also be caused by a malfunctioning nodule within the gland or other immune problems or viral infections. By measuring the amount of thyroid hormone in the blood and monitoring the heartbeat and size of the thyroid, your doctor can confirm the hyperthyroid diagnosis.
Treatment Options for Hyperthyroidism
Traditional treatment has focused on medication or surgery to correct problems related to the thyroid. However, recent advances in treatment options have allowed doctors to harness the body’s own potential for healing problems related to an overactive thyroid.
Treatment options for hyperthyroidism have traditionally consisted of a range of options from irradiated iodine to medication and beta-blockers to surgery to remove most of the gland. Recently, medical professionals have taken advantage of the body’s own cells and cell function to promote renewal and growth of healthy tissue and cells within the thyroid.
By harnessing the power of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP), the treatment team can inject the patient with a concentrated solution of platelets derived from a blood draw at the site of the tissue damage. The thyroid contains its own progenitor cells, so the PRP can activate the healing and renewal processes within the cells of the thyroid tissue, sending messages to regrow and replace damaged cells.
Because so much of your body’s functioning depends on the regulatory controls found within the thyroid, it is important that you seek a proper diagnosis and treatment that fit your needs as soon as possible if you think your thyroid is not functioning properly.
If you want to find out more information on how PRP treatment can help hyperthyroidism, call Sage Nutrition today at (732) 443-0300.