Well, I’m in a hyperthyroidism nursing group at a hospital (you can see the group on Facebook), so I am definitely having some issues.
Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland is abnormally overactive, and in extreme cases, causes serious health problems. In the medical field, hyperthyroidism is sometimes called Graves’ Disease, and is one of the most common endocrine disorders in adults.
The symptoms of hyperthyroidism are dizziness, fatigue, muscle weakness, swelling, and swelling of the face. If you’re having any of these symptoms, it’s time to consider a thyroid test.
The test involves taking a sample of your blood, which then goes to a lab to be analyzed. The lab then determines your thyroid levels, which can help doctors determine if you have hyperthyroidism. While your thyroid levels are determined, doctors can also determine your risk of certain cancers, including thyroid cancer. If you are a diagnosed thyroid cancer patient, you will be given a prescription for a radioactive isotope called triiodothyronine (T3) for treatment.
Doctors can also administer a drug called levothyroxine to treat hyperthyroidism, which causes extreme fatigue and increased energy. While you take the drug, your thyroid will begin to decline, making the dose more consistent over time. With levothyroxine, your dose comes in 1mg every 4 hours for three days. In this case, if you are over the age of 40 and taking this medication, you will have to take it every day for three days.
In addition to T3, levothyroxine is administered in 3mg increments to treat thyroid cancer. It is also used in cases of Grave’s disease, an extremely rare form of cancer that can occur in people over the age of 40.
If anyone out there is looking to add levothyroxine to their thyroid meds, be aware that this medication can cause a rare, but potentially dangerous side effect. It can cause hyperthyroidism, which is characterized by rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, and the appearance of small yellow spots on the skin.
If you do decide to attempt levothyroxine therapy, be aware that this medication can affect your thyroid hormone levels, especially if you are taking multiple medications. If you are taking levothyroxine, and you have experienced a high blood pressure or heart rate, then you should stop taking it immediately. If you do not experience any of these symptoms, you should still stop taking levothyroxine for now.
Although levothyroxine is an effective treatment of high blood pressure, high blood pressure is more common among people who are over the age of 60. You should monitor your blood pressure closely and try to keep your blood pressure under control with your usual methods.
The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that you take your blood pressure twice a day. If it is slightly elevated, you may want to reduce your daily dose. If you experience symptoms of high blood pressure or heart rate, you should stop taking levothyroxine immediately.