Subclinical Hyperthyroidism

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Subclinical hyperthyroidism is a condition that develops when the amount of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in your blood is low. TSH is made in the brain and controls how much thyroid hormones are made. 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:

• Treatment that is too early or uses too much medicine to decrease your thyroid hormone levels may cause problems. Medicines may cause your skin to itch and turn yellow or your joints to hurt. The medicines can also harm your liver. Medicines or surgery may damage thyroid gland cells and cause hypothyroidism (too little thyroid hormone). During surgery, you may bleed or get an infection.
  
  
• Untreated subclinical hyperthyroidism can worsen and turn into hyperthyroidism. You may lose weight, have a hard time falling asleep, and feel nervous and restless. You may also feel warm when other people feel cold, and have shortness of breath and a very fast heartbeat. You may also develop heart disease, low bone density, and other medical problems. Your risk of an abnormal heartbeat is also increased. If you are pregnant, subclinical hyperthyroidism may cause problems for you and your baby.

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.

Food:

You may need to eat more food 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, and if you need to follow a special diet.

Heart monitor:

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

IV:

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

Medicines:

You may need any of the following:

• 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 correctly.

Tests:

You may need one or more of the following:

• Blood tests: You may need blood taken for tests. These tests tell your caregiver what the levels of TSH and thyroid hormones are in your blood. This information may also be used to see how well any treatments are working.
  
  
• Bone scan: This is a test done to look at the bones in your body. The bone scan shows areas where your bone is diseased or damaged. You will get a radioactive liquid, called a tracer, through a vein in your arm. The tracer collects in your bones. Pictures will then be taken to look for problems. Examples of bone problems include fractures (breaks) and infection.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• Thyroid ultrasound: This is a test using sound waves to look at your thyroid gland. Pictures of your thyroid gland show up on a TV-like screen.
  
  
• X-rays: These tests take pictures of the inside of your body. Your caregiver may use them to look for any problems and see how your lungs, heart, or bones are doing.

Treatment:

You may not need any treatment. If you are an older adult, or caregivers find that you are more likely to have heart or bone problems, you may need any of the following:

• Radioactive iodine: 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 hormones made by the thyroid gland. If you are female, tell your caregiver if you know or think you might be pregnant. The medicine can harm an unborn child.
  
  
• Surgery: You may need surgery to remove all or part of your thyroid gland. By making the thyroid gland smaller, the amount of thyroid hormones produced will also decrease.

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.

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