Can an under-active thyroid gland become over-active?

Answer 1

Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).

About hyperthyroidism

Your thyroid is an endocrine gland. This means that it secretes hormones into your bloodstream. Hormones are chemicals produced by your body to help regulate how your cells and organs work. They are sometimes called chemical messengers.



Your thyroid gland makes two hormones: thyroxine (also called T4) and triiodothyronine (also called T3). Together, these hormones regulate your body's growth and metabolism. Your metabolism is how quickly your body burns energy and how quickly reactions in your body happen. Your rate of metabolism affects lots of things, such as how much you weigh and how much you sleep.

The production of your thyroid hormones is controlled by another hormone called thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). This is made by an endocrine gland in your brain called the pituitary gland.

What is hyperthyroidism?

Hyperthyroidism is when your thyroid gland is overactive and produces excess thyroid hormones. This speeds up your body's metabolism, meaning that organs and processes in your body work faster.

Symptoms of hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism has many different symptoms. In general, the symptoms relate to a speeding up of your body's metabolism. Symptoms include:

feeling nervous, irritable or emotional

tremor (shaking)

sleeping poorly

being intolerant of heat and sweating more than usual

losing weight despite having an increased appetite (although around one in 10 people will gain weight)

feeling tired

muscle weakness

increased heart rate or palpitations

having infrequent periods or problems getting pregnant

having more frequent bowel movements or diarrhoea

shortness of breath, especially when exercising

loss of hair or finer hair than usual

swelling of your thyroid gland (goitre)

swollen/red eyes, or double vision

If you have some, or all, of these symptoms, see your family doctor.

Answer 2

Hyperthyroidism. It is characterized by brittle hair and nails, sensitivity to cold, intolerance to heat, fast heart rate, tremors, heart palpitations, etc. For a complete list of symptoms, see the attached link.

Answer 3

The thyroid is produces a hormone called thyroxine. A hormone that is important in regulating metabolic rate. An under active (too little thyroxine) will slow metabolism leading to weight gain, lack of energy and weight gain. An over active thyroid (too much thyroxine) will lead to weight loss, anxiety & agitation.

Answer 4

Yes, an under-active thyroid gland can eventually become over-active, and vice versa.

Answer 5

A thyroid is a gland. To have one is that is over active simply means that it is producing far more than the average thyroid gland. See a doctor if you have doubts.