Functional Neurology: What is Hyperthyroidism?

Hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid, is a health issue that causes the thyroid gland to produce excess amounts of hormones. The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ found in the center of the neck which releases hormones, such as triiodothyronine (T3) and tetraiodothyronine (T4), that regulate breathing, heart rate, temperature, and metabolism, among other bodily functions. Hyperthyroidism can cause bodily functions to speed up which may result in a variety of symptoms, including irregular heartbeat and weight loss. In the following article, we will discuss hyperthyroidism or an overactive thyroid.

What are the Causes of Hyperthyroidism?

The thyroid gland produces hormones, such as triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine or tetraiodothyronine (T4), which control nearly all cells and tissues in the human body. These two primary thyroid hormones regulate heart rate, temperature, and metabolism or the rate at which carbohydrates and fats are used to produce energy. The thyroid gland also releases a hormone that regulates calcium, or calcitonin, in the bloodstream. The thyroid gland generally produces and releases the right amount of hormones in the human body, however, a variety of health issues can cause hyperthyroidism or an overactive thyroid.

Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes antibodies produced by the immune system to stimulate the thyroid gland to release excess amounts of hormones. This health issue is one of the most common causes of hyperthyroidism or an overactive thyroid. Graves’ disease is believed to be a genetic disorder that occurs more often in women than in men. Graves’ ophthalmopathy is a rare problem that can make a person’s eyeballs protrude beyond their normal protective orbits due to the swelling of the muscles behind the eyes. This health issue occurs more often in people who smoke.

Plummer’s disease is another type of hyperthyroidism that occurs when one or more adenomas of the thyroid gland produce excess amounts of thyroxine or tetraiodothyronine (T4). An adenoma can ultimately develop benign lumps which may enlarge the thyroid gland. Occasionally, the thyroid gland can become inflamed after pregnancy, generally due to an autoimmune disease or for unknown reasons. Inflammation of the thyroid gland can cause excess hormones to “leak” into the bloodstream. Thyroiditis, or inflammation of the thyroid gland, can cause pain and discomfort. Other causes of hyperthyroidism include:

• excess amounts of iodine
• tumors in the ovaries or testes
• tumors in the thyroid or pituitary gland
• excess amounts of T4 taken from medicines or supplements

What are the Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism?

Hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid, can tremendously increase metabolic rate, also known as a hypermetabolic state. During a hypermetabolic state, people with hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid, can experience increased heart rate and tremors. This health issue may also cause individuals to sweat a lot and develop heat sensitivity or intolerance. It can also cause more frequent bowel movements, weight loss, and irregular menstrual cycles in women. Moreover, the thyroid gland may become visibly swollen and the eyes may appear more prominent. Other symptoms of hyperthyroidism include:

• increased appetite
• nausea and vomiting
• irregular heartbeat
• fine, brittle hair
• hair loss
• itching
• weakness
• restlessness
• nervousness
• inability to concentrate
• difficulty sleeping
• breast development in men

According to healthcare professionals, the following symptoms of hyperthyroidism may ultimately require immediate medical attention, including:

• shortness of breath
• dizziness
• loss of consciousness
• fast, irregular heart rate
• atrial fibrillation or a dangerous arrhythmia

Furthermore, according to healthcare professionals, if hyperthyroidism is left untreated, it can also lead to a variety of complications, including:

• Red, swollen skin: Graves’ dermopathy is a health issue that affects the skin, causing redness and swelling, often on the shins and feet.
• Eye problems: Graves’ ophthalmopathy can cause bulging, red or swollen eyes, sensitivity to light, and blurred or double vision.
• Brittle bones: Hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid, can cause weak, brittle bones, a problem known as osteoporosis. The strength of our bones is associated with our amount of calcium, however, excess amounts of hormones can affect your body’s ability to add calcium into your bones.
• Heart problems: Hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid, can cause rapid heart rate, a heart rhythm disorder, known as atrial fibrillation, that increases the risk of stroke, and congestive heart failure, a condition in which the heart can’t circulate enough blood throughout the body.
• Thyrotoxic crisis: Hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid, can also increase the risk of developing a thyrotoxic crisis, or a sudden intensification of symptoms which may lead to a fever, a rapid pulse, and even delirium. If a thyrotoxic crisis occurs, seek immediate medical attention.

What is the Diagnosis of Hyperthyroidism?

Hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid, is diagnosed based on a patient’s symptoms through a physical evaluation and blood tests utilized to measure thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroid hormone levels. In addition, healthcare professionals may also decide to order diagnostic imaging scans, such as an ultrasound, of the thyroid gland to identify the presence of nodules as well as to determine if it has become inflamed or overactive.

What is the Treatment of Hyperthyroidism?

Hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid, can be treated with antithyroid drugs/medications that affect the production of thyroid hormones. Radioactive iodine therapy may also be utilized to damage the cells and tissues that produce thyroid hormones. In rare cases, surgery may be utilized to remove part of or the entire thyroid gland. Treatment options will depend on the severity and underlying cause of symptoms. Doctors may also prescribe beta-blockers to block the effects of thyroid hormones. Hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid, may also improve with proper diet and lifestyle modifications.

Thyroid dysfunction can ultimately cause a variety of health issues, including hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid, is a health issue that causes the thyroid gland to produce excess amounts of hormones. The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ found in the center of the neck which releases hormones, such as triiodothyronine (T3) and tetraiodothyronine (T4), that regulate breathing, heart rate, temperature, and metabolism, among other bodily functions. Hyperthyroidism can cause bodily functions to speed up which may result in a variety of symptoms, including irregular heartbeat and weight loss. In the following article, we will describe hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid, and discuss the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. 

Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C., C.C.S.T. Insight

Hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid, is a health issue that causes the thyroid gland to produce excess amounts of hormones. The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ found in the center of the neck which releases hormones, such as triiodothyronine (T3) and tetraiodothyronine (T4), that regulate breathing, heart rate, temperature, and metabolism, among other bodily functions. Hyperthyroidism can cause bodily functions to speed up which may result in a variety of symptoms, including irregular heartbeat and weight loss. In the article above, we will discuss hyperthyroidism or an overactive thyroid.

The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, and nervous health issues or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health protocols to treat injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. 

Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez

References:

1. Lights, Verneda, et al. “Hyperthyroidism.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 29 June 2016, www.healthline.com/health/hyperthyroidism.
2. Mayo Clinic Staff. “Hyperthyroidism (Overactive Thyroid).” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 7 Jan. 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hyperthyroidism/symptoms-causes/syc-20373659.
3. Aleppo, Grazia. “Hyperthyroidism Overview.” EndocrineWeb, EndocrineWeb Media, 10 July 2019, www.endocrineweb.com/conditions/hyperthyroidism/hyperthyroidism-overview-overactive-thyroid.

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Additional Topic Discussion: Chronic Pain

Sudden pain is a natural response of the nervous system which helps to demonstrate possible injury. By way of instance, pain signals travel from an injured region through the nerves and spinal cord to the brain. Pain is generally less severe as the injury heals, however, chronic pain is different than the average type of pain. With chronic pain, the human body will continue sending pain signals to the brain, regardless if the injury has healed. Chronic pain can last for several weeks to even several years. Chronic pain can tremendously affect a patient’s mobility and it can reduce flexibility, strength, and endurance.

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Dr. Alex Jimenez utilizes a series of tests to help evaluate neurological diseases. The Neural Zoomer^TM Plus is an array of neurological autoantibodies which offers specific antibody-to-antigen recognition. The Vibrant Neural Zoomer^TM Plus is designed to assess an individual’s reactivity to 48 neurological antigens with connections to a variety of neurologically related diseases. The Vibrant Neural Zoomer^TM Plus aims to reduce neurological conditions by empowering patients and physicians with a vital resource for early risk detection and an enhanced focus on personalized primary prevention.

Food Sensitivity for the IgG & IgA Immune Response

Dr. Alex Jimenez utilizes a series of tests to help evaluate health issues associated with a variety of food sensitivities and intolerances. The Food Sensitivity Zoomer^TM is an array of 180 commonly consumed food antigens that offers very specific antibody-to-antigen recognition. This panel measures an individual’s IgG and IgA sensitivity to food antigens. Being able to test IgA antibodies provides additional information to foods that may be causing mucosal damage. Additionally, this test is ideal for patients who might be suffering from delayed reactions to certain foods. Utilizing an antibody-based food sensitivity test can help prioritize the necessary foods to eliminate and create a customized diet plan around the patient’s specific needs.

Gut Zoomer for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)

Dr. Alex Jimenez utilizes a series of tests to help evaluate gut health associated with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). The Vibrant Gut Zoomer^TM offers a report that includes dietary recommendations and other natural supplementation like prebiotics, probiotics, and polyphenols. The gut microbiome is mainly found in the large intestine and it has more than 1000 species of bacteria that play a fundamental role in the human body, from shaping the immune system and affecting the metabolism of nutrients to strengthening the intestinal mucosal barrier (gut-barrier). It is essential to understand how the number of bacteria that symbiotically live in the human gastrointestinal (GI) tract influences gut health because imbalances in the gut microbiome may ultimately lead to gastrointestinal (GI) tract symptoms, skin conditions, autoimmune disorders, immune system imbalances, and multiple inflammatory disorders.

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