Who gets hyperthyroidism?
About 2 in 100 women, and 2 in 1000 men, develop hyperthyroidism at some stage of their life.
What are the causes of hyperthyroidism?
Graves' disease
Graves' disease is the commonest cause. It can occur at any age, but is most common in women aged 20 to 40. It can affect anyone, but there is often a family history of the condition.
Graves' disease is an autoimmune disease. The immune system normally makes antibodies to attack bacteria, viruses, and other 'bugs'. In autoimmune diseases, the immune system makes antibodies against tissues of the body. If you have Graves' disease, you make antibodies that attach to the thyroid gland. These stimulate the thyroid to make lots of thyroxine. It is thought that something triggers the immune system to make these antibodies. The 'trigger' is not known.
In Graves' disease the thyroid gland commonly enlarges which causes a swelling in the neck (goitre). The eyes are also commonly affected. Your eyes may seem to be pushed forward and look more prominent (proptosis). You may have discomfort and watering of the eyes. Problems with eye muscles may lead to double vision. It is not clear why eye symptoms occur in Graves' disease. They may be due to the antibodies affecting the tissues around the eye.
Thyroid nodules
This is a less common cause of hyperthyroidism. Thyroid nodules are lumps which can develop in the thyroid gland. It is not clear why they develop. They are usually benign (non-cancerous) but contain abnormal thyroid tissue. The abnormal thyroid tissue in the thyroid nodules does not respond to the normal controlling system which ensures that you make just the right amount of thyroxine. Therefore, if you have a thyroid nodule, you may make more than normal amounts of thyroxine.
- Sometimes only one nodule forms. This is called a 'toxic solitary adenoma'. This most commonly occurs in people aged between 30 and 50.
- The thyroid may become generally lumpy or nodular. This most commonly occurs in older people, and is called a 'toxic multi-nodular goitre'.
There are several other rare causes of hyperthyroidism.
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julie cottam, about 1 year
where would I find out about hyperthyroidism related to Lithium treatment ? My daughter who is 17 and been on lithium for 3 years now , is suffering with an over active thyroid and her lithium levels are below therapeutic level .
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