Many people complain about feeling exhausted during the day. For most, it is simply a matter of trying to do too much and failing to get enough sleep. In some cases, the feeling of extreme fatigue may be a sign of a condition called hyperthyroidism. For individuals with this condition, a San Jose thyroid doctor can offer effective ways to treat symptoms.
The thyroid is a small gland that wraps around the windpipe. It is responsible for secreting a variety of hormones that affect development, metabolism, and body temperature. Hyperthyroidism is a condition that occurs when the gland is overactive and floods the system with hormones.
Many people with hyperthyroidism are severely fatigued because the rush of hormones can cause insomnia. The hormones also cause tremors and diarrhea in addition to acting on the circulatory system to elevate heart rate and raise blood pressure. The additional stress on the system can make patients with this condition feel exhausted even though they are sleeping through the night.
A qualified physician can usually confirm a diagnosis of hyperthyroidism by checking the patient's blood for high levels of TSH, which stimulates this gland to produce more hormones. Hyperthyroidism can be hereditary, as is the case with individuals suffering with Graves' disease, an autoimmune condition that causes hyperactivity. Other causes may be inflammation or nodules growing on the gland.
The physician may prescribe methimazole or propylthiouracil to patients with hyperthyroidism. Both of these drugs can prevent hormone production but they can also have serious side effects in some individuals. Surgery to remove a portion or the entire gland and the ingestion of radioactive iodine, are additional ways to treat this disease. Beta-blockers can be effective for controlling problems associated with increased heart rate but have no effect on the hormone levels.
Individuals who cannot seem to get enough sleep to overcome exhaustion may be suffering from more than just sleep deprivation. Only a licensed physician can determine if severe fatigue is caused by an overactive thyroid gland. The physician will confirm the diagnosis and select the best method to treat the condition depending on the patient's age, health, and the cause of the hyperactivity.
The thyroid is a small gland that wraps around the windpipe. It is responsible for secreting a variety of hormones that affect development, metabolism, and body temperature. Hyperthyroidism is a condition that occurs when the gland is overactive and floods the system with hormones.
Many people with hyperthyroidism are severely fatigued because the rush of hormones can cause insomnia. The hormones also cause tremors and diarrhea in addition to acting on the circulatory system to elevate heart rate and raise blood pressure. The additional stress on the system can make patients with this condition feel exhausted even though they are sleeping through the night.
A qualified physician can usually confirm a diagnosis of hyperthyroidism by checking the patient's blood for high levels of TSH, which stimulates this gland to produce more hormones. Hyperthyroidism can be hereditary, as is the case with individuals suffering with Graves' disease, an autoimmune condition that causes hyperactivity. Other causes may be inflammation or nodules growing on the gland.
The physician may prescribe methimazole or propylthiouracil to patients with hyperthyroidism. Both of these drugs can prevent hormone production but they can also have serious side effects in some individuals. Surgery to remove a portion or the entire gland and the ingestion of radioactive iodine, are additional ways to treat this disease. Beta-blockers can be effective for controlling problems associated with increased heart rate but have no effect on the hormone levels.
Individuals who cannot seem to get enough sleep to overcome exhaustion may be suffering from more than just sleep deprivation. Only a licensed physician can determine if severe fatigue is caused by an overactive thyroid gland. The physician will confirm the diagnosis and select the best method to treat the condition depending on the patient's age, health, and the cause of the hyperactivity.
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Find a review of the reasons why you should visit a functional medicine center and more information about an experienced San Jose thyroid doctor at http://www.ihsfunctionalmedicine.com now.
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