Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is when your thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone.

Your thyroid gland sits at the front of your neck below your Adam’s apple. It makes the thyroid hormone, which helps your body use energy and stay warm. The hormone also affects your brain, heart, and muscles.

Conditions that can cause hyperthyroidism include:

• Graves’ disease, which is when your body attacks your thyroid. It is the leading cause of hyperthyroidism.
• Toxic nodules. This is when a thyroid nodule makes too much thyroid hormone. 
• Toxic multinodular goiters. This is when many thyroid nodules make too much thyroid hormone. It can happen if someone does not get enough iodine in their diet. 
• Thyroiditis (Hashimoto’s Disease). This is when your thyroid gland becomes inflamed. Sometimes, this causes the gland to release too much thyroid hormone. 

If your doctor at Providence Health Care suspects you have hyperthyroidism, they will perform a physical exam.

A physical exam includes:

• Checking to see if your thyroid is too large or painful.
• Feeling your nodules. 
• Looking for signs of too much thyroid, like a fast heart rate, shaky hands and warm, moist skin. 
• Examining for signs of thyroid eye disease, like redness, bulging or swelling in your eyes. 

Your health care provider may also refer you for diagnostic tests. These include:

• Blood tests. This laboratory test checks a sample of your blood for levels of hormones and antibodies. For example:
  • thyroid hormones (TSH, T4 and T3)
  • thyroid antibody, like thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI)
  • thyrotropin receptor antibodies (TRAB)
  • thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies
• Imaging tests like a thyroid ultrasound or nuclear medicine imaging

If you have hyperthyroidism, your doctor will refer you to a thyroid surgeon or the Thyroid Clinic at St. Paul’s Hospital. This clinic specializes in diagnosing and managing thyroid disorders. 

We will prepare a custom treatment plan for you. Treating hyperthyroidism is different for everyone. Your plan will depend on your age, symptoms, overall health, and the cause of your hyperthyroidism.

Sometimes, you do not need treatment, and we will watch your condition. 

Your treatment plan may include:

Clinics that treat hyperthyroidism

The Indigenous Wellness Liaison Team is here to support your health journey. Team members offer cultural support and healthcare advocacy. Learn more below or call them at 604-682-2344,62937 or email IWL@providencehealth.bc.ca.

Advances in treatments for hyperthyroidism are all thanks to medical research. While participating in research is a decision you should make in consultation with your care team, there is much activity in this field. Please ask us about our research programs if you’re interested.

By taking part in research, you can help us all learn more about hyperthyroidism. You can also help us find better ways to help people like you live and thrive. Even if you don't benefit directly, your participation can help care for future patients.

The following clinical trials are currently enrolling volunteers. Please ask your care team for more information. You can also contact the research team listed on each study or trial. For other information about research at Providence Health Care, please visit Providence Research.

Your family doctor or a walk-in clinic can refer you to the Thyroid Clinic.