Hyperthyroidism

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Hyperthyroidism is a condition that develops when the thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormones help control body temperature, heart rate, growth, and how you gain or lose weight.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

• Medicine to treat hyperthyroid may cause itching and redness of skin, fever, sore throat, and pain in your joints. They may also harm your liver and cause yellowing of your skin. Medicines or surgery may damage thyroid gland cells and cause hypothyroidism (too little thyroid hormone). This may make you gain weight, feel very weak, and slow down your thinking. During surgery you may bleed more than usual or get an infection. Nerves in your thyroid gland may get nicked or cut and give you a hoarse voice. Even after successful treatment and surgery, your signs and symptoms may still remain or return.
  
  
• Hyperthyroidism can affect a pregnancy. Tell your caregiver if you know or think you are pregnant. If left untreated, your signs and symptoms may get worse. Your eyes may continue to bulge out and affect your eyesight. You may get very thin and weak, have problems thinking, and go into a coma. Your heart may be affected and stop beating completely, and you may die. You may also have a thyroid storm. Your temperature may go very high, your heart may beat very fast, and you may have problems thinking. You may go into a coma or die if you do not get medical care quickly.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Informed consent:

A consent form is a legal document that explains the tests, treatments, or procedures that you may need. Informed consent means you understand what will be done and can make decisions about what you want. You give your permission when you sign the consent form. You can have someone sign this form for you if you are not able to sign it. You have the right to understand your medical care in words you know. Before you sign the consent form, understand the risks and benefits of what will be done. Make sure all your questions are answered.

Activity:

You may need to rest in bed until your heart rate is under control. Ask caregivers if you may exercise your legs in bed. Do this by lifting one leg off the bed and drawing big circles with your toes. Your caregiver will tell you when it is OK to get out of bed. Call your caregiver before getting up for the first time. If you ever feel weak or dizzy, sit or lie down right away.

Echocardiogram:

This test is a type of ultrasound. Sound waves are used to show the structure, movement, and blood vessels of your heart.

Heart monitor:

This is also called an ECG or EKG. Sticky pads placed on your skin record your heart's electrical activity.

Intake and output:

Caregivers will keep track of the amount of liquid you are getting. They also may need to know how much you are urinating. Ask how much liquid you should drink each day. Ask caregivers if they need to measure or collect your urine.

IV:

An IV (intravenous) is a small tube placed in your vein that is used to give you medicine or liquids.

Food:

You may need to eat more to give your body the extra energy it needs. High protein and high calorie foods will help prevent weight loss. Ask your caregiver which foods are best for you.

Medicines:

• Antianxiety medicine: This medicine may be given to decrease anxiety and help you feel calm and relaxed.
  
  
• Anti-thyroid medicine: This medicine decreases the amount of thyroid hormone made by your thyroid gland. This medicine can also cause your thyroid to stop making thyroid hormone completely.
  
  
• Heart medicines: Your caregiver may give these to help slow down and make your heart beat properly again.
  
  
• Medicines to treat pain, swelling, or fever: These medicines are safe for most people to use. However, they can cause serious problems when used by people with certain medical conditions. Tell caregivers if you have liver or kidney disease or a history of bleeding in your stomach.

Tests:

• Biopsy: This is a procedure where a very small piece of your thyroid gland is taken and sent to a lab for tests. Your caregiver uses this to check for other problems that may be present in your thyroid gland. A small needle may be used to get a sample of your thyroid gland. Your caregiver may use numbing medicine so that you may not feel any pain during the procedure.
  
  
• Blood tests: You may need blood taken to give caregivers information about how your body is working. The blood may be taken from your hand, arm, or IV.
  
  
• Thyroid scan: This test shows caregivers how well your thyroid is working. Radioactive dye is put into your IV or is given to you to drink. The working part of the thyroid gland absorbs (soaks up) the dye. Two to 48 hours later, caregivers put a machine called a scintillator over your neck. The machine takes pictures showing the areas of your thyroid that absorbed the dye.
  
  
• X-ray: This is a test that takes picture of the inside of your body. Your caregiver may use it to look for any problems and see how your lungs and heart are doing.

Treatment:

• Radioactive iodine: Iodine is an important mineral used by the thyroid gland to function properly. The thyroid gland is the only organ in the body that can absorb iodine. A radioactive form of iodine is given to damage or kill some thyroid gland cells. This may decrease the amount of thyroid hormone made by the thyroid gland. If you are a woman, tell your caregiver if you know or think you are pregnant. This medicine can harm an unborn baby.
  
  
• Surgery: Some people with hyperthyroidism may need surgery to remove all or part of the thyroid gland. You may be given antithyroid medicine, iodine, or both for several months before surgery. These medicines will decrease your symptoms and make the thyroid gland smaller before surgery.

Vital signs:

Caregivers will check your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and temperature. They will also ask about your pain. These vital signs give caregivers information about your current health.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Hyperthyroidism (Inpatient Care)