Hyperthyroidism

For a lay person:

Hyperthyroidism is an overactive thyroid gland making too much thyroid hormone. It speeds up the body, causing weight loss, a fast heartbeat, sweating, shakiness and anxiety.

For a trained medical person:

Thyrotoxicosis most often from Graves' disease, toxic nodular goitre or thyroiditis. Diagnosis by suppressed TSH and raised free T4/T3, with antibodies and uptake scans. Treatment: beta-blockers, antithyroid drugs, radioactive iodine or surgery.

In Chinese medicine:

Flaws and Sionneau's textbook differentiates this condition into these patterns: Qi stagnation and phlegm congelation; Liver Fire Blazing; Yin deficiency, yang hyperactivity; Qi and yin deficiency. Treatment follows the pattern a patient presents with, not the Western diagnosis alone.

When to get help: Get urgent care for a very fast heartbeat, high fever or confusion. Seaweed and other high-iodine herbs can worsen hyperthyroidism.