Your thyroid gland is a small gland in the front of your neck. It may be little, but it’s very important – it makes hormones that help control your metabolism, keeping you warm and helping your organs work normally. So if you have a thyroid problem, it can affect how your body works and have a big impact on your day-to-day life.
Perhaps you’ve noticed changes to how you look, such as weight loss or hair thinning, which has knocked your mood and confidence. Or maybe you’re dealing with feelings of nervousness, or you’re exhausted due to lack of sleep? If so, you could have an
– when your thyroid gland makes more hormones than your body needs.Women are more likely to get thyroid problems – according to the American Thyroid Association, about 1 in 8 women will be affected at some point. And if you have a hectic life, what with working all hours, maybe also looking after children and/or caring for older relatives, you may put your health low on your to-do list. But remember that it's important to look after yourself, too.
The good news is that, like other thyroid problems, an overactive thyroid can be effectively managed, so it’s important to see your doctor for a diagnosis. There are
, as well as a few things to bear in mind about your diet – but an overactive thyroid needs medical treatment. So read on to find out what the options are, when they might be used, and how they work.If you’re diagnosed with an overactive thyroid, you’ll usually see a specialist, who will be likely to recommend anti-thyroid medicines called thionamides as a first line of treatment. (In some cases, they can also be prescribed by your family doctor.)
These medicines work by reducing the amount of thyroid hormone your thyroid gland releases into your body. They’re used either for a short time to prepare you for other treatments (see below), or in the longer term if you have
– the most common cause of an overactive thyroid, which can sometimes be cured with medication.Here’s what you need to know:
Like any medication, anti-thyroid medicines can cause side effects. These are usually mild and happen in the first month or 2 of treatment.
An
is the most common side effect, affecting about 5 out of every 100 people (meaning 95 in 100 people won’t get it).What you can do: Talk to your doctor, as they may be able to recommend an alternative medicine (the rash will go away when you stop taking the medication).
Other side effects can include:
What you can do: These will usually settle down as your body gets used to the medicine – but speak to your doctor if you’re worried.
In extremely rare cases, anti-thyroid medications can cause a serious side effect called agranulocytosis, where there’s a sudden drop in your white blood cells. This can make you very vulnerable to infections, and is potentially life-threatening.
What you can do: If you’ve started anti-thyroid medication in the last 3 months and you get symptoms such as a high temperature (fever) or sore throat, you should stop taking your medication and see your doctor right away – or go to your nearest emergency department.
Find useful information on other areas of thyroid health with our .
This is a type of
treatment that stops your thyroid gland from making too many hormones. It may be used if:Here’s what you need to know:
After the treatment, your thyroid gland may be slightly tender, but this usually clears up within a few days. There’s no risk of losing your hair from this type of radiotherapy.
A common longer-term side effect is an
– when your thyroid gland doesn’t make enough hormones. This is thought to affect about 1 in 3 people (so 2 in 3 people won’t get it).What you can do: Work with your doctors. You’ll need regular thyroid blood tests from 4 to 6 weeks after treatment, so you can be treated with hormone replacement medication if necessary (read more about
).In some cases, you’ll need surgery to remove some or all of your thyroid gland. This may be if:
How much of your thyroid gland needs to be removed will depend on what’s causing your condition. The aim is to remove enough to relieve your symptoms, while still allowing your gland to make the hormones you need.
Options include removing:
Complications from thyroid surgery are thought to happen in about 1 to 2 out of every 100 operations (so they don’t happen in 98 to 99 out of 100 operations).
The main possible complications include:
Can your diet play a part in managing your overactive thyroid? Here's what you need to know.
Despite what you may have read or heard, medication is still the main treatment for overactive thyroid. There are no foods that will treat it, and there isn’t a particular diet you should follow.
The best thing you can do is make sure you’re eating a
that contains all the nutrients your body needs to work at its best. Eating well and taking regular exercise can also help you keep your mood and energy levels steady – which can be challenging when you have an overactive thyroid. (Read more about .)If you’re worried that you’ve lost weight because of your overactive thyroid, read our advice on
– including tips on how to gain weight safely.While you don’t usually need to follow a low-iodine diet, you should avoid foods that contain very high levels of iodine – such as kelp or some seaweeds – and iodine supplements.
Feeling restless, nervous or anxious and having trouble sleeping are common symptoms of an overactive thyroid. And in some people, caffeine can make these symptoms worse.
If this is you, it might be worth avoiding or limiting caffeine – think coffee, tea, chocolate and cola – while you’re waiting for your thyroid medication to work, to see if this helps your symptoms.
When you have an overactive thyroid, having too much thyroid hormone can lead to increased bone loss. Over time, this can increase your risk of weak bones (
).Once your overactive thyroid is being treated, your rate of bone loss will slow down, and your bones may get stronger again. But making sure you’re getting enough calcium and vitamin D can also help prevent osteoporosis, as both are essential for bone health.
Most people can get the calcium they need by eating a balanced diet that includes dairy foods such as milk, cheese and yoghurt (read more about good sources of calcium). Vitamin D is made in your skin when it’s exposed to sun, and can also be found in oily fish such as salmon, and eggs (read more about getting
.If you’re worried you’re not getting enough calcium or vitamin D, speak to your doctor about whether you should take a supplement.
You should always see your doctor if you think you have
or another thyroid problem.They’ll be able to refer you for thyroid function tests and scans to make a diagnosis and help you get the right treatment.
Remember that many of the symptoms of thyroid problems can also be caused by other conditions. If you’re worried about any symptoms and not sure if you need to see a doctor, try our
to get advice on your best next step.You should get urgent medical attention or go to your nearest emergency department if you:
“Eye problems are quite common with an overactive thyroid,” says Dr Roger Hendseron, “with possible symptoms including dryness, watering, sensitivity to light, blurred vision, swollen eyelids or bulging. Once you start treatment, these symptoms usually begin to settle, and in many cases they’re only mild. But in every 20 to 30 cases, there’s a risk that your eyesight may be damaged. So if you have an overactive thyroid and notice any eye problems, always tell your doctor – you may need treatment, such as eye drops or steroids.”
Important: Our website provides useful information but is not a substitute for medical advice. You should always seek the advice of your doctor when making decisions about your health.