People with hyperthyroidism often need to avoid or limit their exposure to certain minerals, such as iodine. Some medications might also be off-limits when someone has an overactive thyroid.
If you have an overactive thyroid, wearing a medical alert bracelet or carrying a medical ID for hyperthyroidism is a good idea. A bracelet or medical ID for hyperthyroidism lets first responders know that you have hyperthyroidism, what your medications are, and anything you need to avoid, such as medications containing iodine. Your medical ID can also inform first responders of any other conditions, such as Grave’s disease that might be related to hyperthyroidism.
One thing you shouldn’t worry about is what could happen if there’s an emergency. MedicAlert’s protection plans offer benefits that extend beyond the ID, providing safety and peace of mind for people living with hyperthyroidism.
Our team provides first responders the information they need to provide fast, accurate care.
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In an emergency, we connect families so that no one is alone in a crisis.
Share the information that’s important to your care, such as use of rescue medications or contraindication for tests like MRIs.
Pair a medical ID for hyperthyroidism with the protection plan that’s right for you.
Hyperthyroidism occurs when there is too much thyroid hormone in the body. Excessive hormone levels push the metabolism into overdrive. A person with hyperthyroidism might notice changes in their heart rate, breathing, mood and digestion.
Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid is underactive, meaning it doesn’t produce enough T4 or T3 hormones. Like hyperthyroidism, an underactive thyroid can be caused by an auto-immune disease (Hashimoto’s disease) or thyroid inflammation.
It can also develop if a person doesn’t get enough iodine in their diet or due to treatment for hyperthyroidism.
Signs of hypothyroidism are often the opposite of the signs of hyperthyroidism. Since the reduced thyroid hormone production slows down the metabolism, a person might experience:
The treatment for hypothyroidism usually involves taking a synthetic form of the hormones. A person might need to take medicine for the rest of their life, but many find that it is enough to balance their hormone levels.
Help others help you. Wear a medical alert ID bracelet or necklace engraved with important information for emergency responders and healthcare providers
Since the entire body uses thyroid hormone, symptoms of hyperthyroidism can develop all over the body. Symptoms can vary from person to person with the condition, as well. Some of the more common symptoms of the condition include:
If a person has Grave’s disease, there might be changes to the eyes, too. A common sign of the condition is eyes that bulge from the sockets. The eyes might feel dry or gritty, too.
The symptoms associated with hyperthyroidism can lead to other issues with the body if the hormone imbalance isn’t corrected. For example, a rapid heartbeat can put a person at an increased risk for stroke. Eye changes can increase the risk of vision loss.
If a physician suspects that a person has either an underactive or overactive thyroid, the best way to diagnose the issue is to test the gland. Thyroid tests measure the levels of T4 and T3 hormones. If an auto-immune disease is suspected, a physician can also order a thyroid antibody test.
Taking images of the gland can help a doctor see any nodules or if inflammation is present.
MedicAlert offers free custom engraving on all our hyperthyroidism bracelets and medical ID products. The engraving on your medical IDs for hyperthyroidism should include any critical medical information that can protect and save your life if you are in an accident or have a medical emergency, for example:
Sample engraving. Consult our team if you need help with the engraving on medical IDs for hyperthyroidism.
A variety of factors can cause hyperthyroidism. In some cases, the cause is an auto-immune disorder called Grave’s disease. When a person has Grave’s disease, their immune system goes after the thyroid, causing it to produce more hormones than it should.
Grave’s disease affects about one out of every 200 people in the U.S., according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. It’s the most common cause of hyperthyroidism.
Women are more likely than men to have Grave’s disease. Although it can develop at any time, it’s most common in people between 30 and 50 years old.
Growths or nodules on the thyroid are another cause of hyperthyroidism. The nodules are usually not cancerous but can stimulate the production of T4 and T3. Thyroiditis, or inflammation of the gland, can also increase the production of thyroid hormones.
External factors can also cause hyperthyroidism. Iodine is a mineral the body uses to produce thyroid hormones. When a person’s diet is very high in iodine, they can have too much hormone.
In some instances, medication for an underactive thyroid triggers an overproduction of the hormone.
All in all, hyperthyroidism is the least common of all thyroid problems. The Cleveland Clinic reports that it affects about 1% of people in the U.S.
Fortunately, hyperthyroidism is treatable. There are three treatment options available.
Option one is a medication that blocks the production of thyroid hormones. Usually, people take antithyroid medicines for several years.
Option two is radioactive iodine. When taken by mouth, radioactive iodine destroys thyroid cells while leaving other body cells alone. Once destroyed, the thyroid cells can’t produce hormones.
While radioactive iodine is very effective at treating hyperthyroidism, it does go a bit far. Since it destroys the cells that produce T4 and T3, people who decide on the treatment need to take synthetic thyroid medication for the rest of their lives.
The third option is surgery, which removes the thyroid gland. Like radioactive iodine, removal of the thyroid gland means that the body stops producing thyroid hormone. To compensate, a person who chooses surgery will need to take thyroid medication.
