Hyperthyroidism facts for kids
Hyperthyroidism is a medical condition where your thyroid gland works too hard. Your thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in your neck. It makes special chemicals called hormones. These hormones are like messengers that help control how your body uses energy. This is called your metabolism. One important hormone it makes is called thyroxine.
Your body has a special way to tell the thyroid gland how much thyroxine to make. This is done by another hormone called thyroid-stimulating hormone, or TSH for short. TSH is made in a different gland in your brain called the pituitary gland. If a doctor thinks you might have hyperthyroidism, they can do blood tests. These tests usually show a low level of TSH, meaning your thyroid is making too much thyroxine on its own.
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What Causes Hyperthyroidism?
The most common reason someone gets hyperthyroidism is a condition called Graves' disease. Graves' disease is an autoimmune disease. This means your own immune system, which normally fights off germs, accidentally attacks your thyroid gland. When this happens, the immune system makes special antibodies that tell your thyroid to grow bigger and make too many hormones.
What Are the Symptoms?
When your thyroid makes too many hormones, your body's metabolism speeds up. This can cause several symptoms. You might notice your neck looks a bit swollen because your thyroid gland is larger. People with hyperthyroidism often lose weight even if they eat normally.
Other signs can include:
- Your hands might tremble.
- Your blood pressure could go up.
- You might feel very nervous or have anxiety attacks.
- You could also feel tired, have trouble sleeping, or feel hot all the time.
How is it Treated?
While hyperthyroidism can't always be completely cured, it can be managed. Doctors can give you medication to help slow down your thyroid gland and stop it from making too many hormones. This helps to control the symptoms and keep you feeling better.
Images for kids
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Most common causes of hyperthyroidism by age.
See also
In Spanish: Hipertiroidismo para niños
