Causes of Hyperthyroidism

Monday, May 11th, 2009 at 3:07 am

Thyroid is an important gland that is situated somewhere middle of the front side of the neck. Thyroid gland secrets some of the important hormones, known as ‘thyroid hormones’, that play important role in metabolism of the body. Metabolism is the process through which, the body utilizes the food to get energy. In a case of hyperthyroidism the thyroid gland produces more thyroid hormones than required by the body result of which, the body gets accelerated metabolism. There are many causes of hyperthyroidism.

Generally, it is caused by disorders wherein thyroid cells trap excess iodine and manufacture more thyroid hormone than needed. It can also be caused by disorders that can make the thyroid gland inflamed or swollen. Inflamed, swollen or damaged cells release more thyroid hormone into the bloodstream than required. Excessive presence of thyroid hormone is termed as thyrotoxicosis. However, thyrotoxicosis can occur in other conditions too. One of the causes that can give raise to hyperthyroidism is excessive intake of thyroid replacement hormones or ingesting food or medicines that is contaminated or adulterated with thyroid hormones. This is termed as exogenous thyrotoxicosis and hence it cannot be considered as thyroid disorder.

Another common cause for hyperthyroidism is Graves’ disease that records for about 70% of almost all the cases. It is an autoimmune disorder wherein the immune system manufactures thyroid antibodies called as TSI. These antibodies direct thyroid cells to overproduce the thyroid hormone and release into the bloodstream. Many times thyroiditis (inflammation of thyroid gland) can also cause hyperthyroidism where inflamed cells produce more thyroid hormones. Most forms of thyroiditis are considered to be autoimmune in origin.

Toxic multi-nodular goiter is another common and ‘non-ignorable’ cause for hyperthyroidism. Multi-nodular goiter, as the name suggest, is a condition in which the thyroid gland will develop nodules or some abnormal growths that catches excess iodine and produce more thyroid hormones than required by the body. This is toxic condition because increased levels of thyroid hormones in the bloodstream create trouble in the metabolism in the body. Toxic multi-nodular goiter generally occurs in people with advanced age and who may have had hypothyroidism some time in their life. Those nodules produce excessive thyroid hormones after a person is exposed to excess iodine in iodine contrast dyes and various radio imagining tests.

Another similar condition known as toxic adenoma is a case wherein the patient develops one solitary nodule or multiple nodules and one of them is significantly larger as compared to others. Such adenomas produce extra thyroid hormones labeled as ‘toxic substance’ to the body. Toxic adenomas are not necessary to be malignant as they are generally benign. However, in rare cases, they might be. Hereditary is another probable cause for hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism that is caused due to heredity is quite similar to Graves’ disease except that thyroid antibodies are absent and patients may not develop the congestive eye disorders, pretibial myxedema, giddiness or vitiligo that some of the Graves’ disease patients do experience.

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