Treatment:

How the condition is treated depends on the cause and the severity of symptoms. Hyperthyroidism is usually treated with:

• Antithyroid medications
• Radioactive iodine (which destroys the thyroid and stops the excess production of hormones)
• Surgery to remove the thyroid

If the thyroid must be removed with radiation or surgery, you must take thyroid hormone replacement pills for the rest of your life.

Beta-blockers such as propranolol are used to treat some of the symptoms, including rapid heart rate, sweating, and anxiety until the hyperthyroidism can be controlled.

Expectations (prognosis):

Hyperthyroidism is generally treatable and only rarely is life-threatening. Some of its causes may go away without treatment.

Hyperthyroidism caused by Graves disease usually gets worse over time. It has many complications, some of which are severe and affect quality of life.

Treatments for hypothyroidism, such as radioactive iodine, surgery, and medications to replace thyroid hormones can have complications.

Complications:

• Heart-related complications include rapid heart rate, congestive heart failure, and atrial fibrillation.
• Thyroid crisis or storm is an acute worsening of hyperthyroidism symptoms that may occur with infection or stress. Fever, decreased mental alertness, and abdominal pain may occur. Immediate hospitalization is needed.
• Hyperthyroidism increases the risk for osteoporosis.
• There may be complications related to surgery. These include scarring of the neck, hoarseness from nerve damage to the voice box, and a low calcium level from damage to the parathyroid glands (located near the thyroid gland).
• Complications may be due to thyroid hormone replacement. If too little hormone is given, symptoms of underactive thyroid can occur. These include fatigue, increased cholesterol levels, weight gain, depression, and slowing of mental and physical activity. If too much hormone is given, the symptoms of hyperthyroidism will come back.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you have symptoms that could be caused by too much thyroid hormone production. Go to an emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911), if you have:

• Change in consciousness
• Dizziness
• Rapid, irregular heartbeat

Call your health care provider if you are being treated for hyperthyroidism and you develop symptoms of underactive thyroid, including:

• Depression
• Mental and physical sluggishness
• Weight gain