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Too Much Hormone: Understanding Hyperthyroidism

Summary & Participants

Hyperthyroidism is a serious hormonal imbalance that most women know little about. It’s caused by an overactivity of the thyroid gland, which can lead to symptoms ranging from weight loss to vision problems. Because of its subtle symptoms this condition often goes misdiagnosed. Join our panelists as they discuss the causes, symptoms and tests available that can help diagnose this condition.

Medically Reviewed On: June 23, 2008

Webcast Transcript

RICHARD HABER, MD: Right. And for that reason, it has been assumed that there must be some genetic predisposition and exactly what genes might be involved there is the subject of current research, but the answer is not in yet.

MELISSA KATZ, MD: Also, I think that there are many patients in whom there's a recent stressor, that tends to bring it on.

HOLLY ATKINSON, MD: How common is hyperthyroidism?

MELISSA KATZ, MD: Hyperthyroidism is actually quite common. It affects approximately 2% of the population.

HOLLY ATKINSON, MD: Underdiagnosed?

MELISSA KATZ, MD: I think it's often diagnosed at a later stage than would be optimal. But when somebody has severe hyperthyroidism, if they seek medical attention, it becomes quite apparent.

HOLLY ATKINSON, MD: Rick, how do you diagnose hyperthyroidism?

RICHARD HABER, MD: Well, the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism is made first when a physician suspects the diagnosis. That the symptoms and signs of the disease appear to be present. And that suspicion is then confirmed by using laboratory tests on the blood to show that the levels of thyroid hormone are too high.

HOLLY ATKINSON, MD: What should a patient do if he or she has self-diagnosed? Maybe they've seen symptoms listed on the Internet or elsewhere and they decide, "Indeed, I have hyperthyroidism." What should they do?

MELISSA KATZ, MD: I think they should see an endocrinologist, see if there's a concurrence there, and also have their TSH checked.

HOLLY ATKINSON, MD: Now, you are both endocrinologists -- give us a definition of what that specialty is involved with. A lot of people don't realize exactly what that term means.

MELISSA KATZ, MD: Endocrinology is really the study of hormones. Includes multiple hormones produced by the body -- certainly thyroid hormone, but it also includes pituitary problems, adrenal problems, metabolic, bone disease, osteoporosis, and certainly diabetes, including reproductive problems, both in men and women.

HOLLY ATKINSON, MD: Now, Rick, oftentimes, people's managed-care programs won't let them go directly to a specialist such as yourselves. You must often work with primary-care physicians in these kinds of situations?

RICHARD HABER, MD: I think usually the suspicion and the initial diagnostic testing for thyroid disease is usually carried out by a primary-care physician, such as an internist or an obstetrician-gynecologist. The symptoms are there, then the lab test is done to confirm the suspicion.

Once it's been documented by the lab tests -- perhaps done by a primary-care physician -- that there really is thyroid disease and not just a suspicion of thyroid disease, at that point referral to an endocrinologist may be necessary. And I think most people will -- the insurance plans that most people have will permit that when it's appropriate.

HOLLY ATKINSON, MD: Great. Thank you very much for being with me today. And thank you for being with me. I'm Dr. Holly Atkinson.

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