Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptoms of ThyrotoxicosisCauses of ThyrotoxicosisComplications of ThyrotoxicosisWhen to Seek Medical Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms of Thyrotoxicosis
Causes of Thyrotoxicosis
Complications of Thyrotoxicosis
When to Seek Medical Care
Excess amounts of thyroid hormones, likethyroxine(T4) andtriiodothyronine(T3), can speed up your metabolism and result in symptoms ofthyrotoxicosis. Common symptoms ofthyrotoxicosisinclude weight loss, shakiness, anxiety, irritability, heat intolerance, sweating, menstrual problems, and heart palpitations.
Symptoms vary from person to person and can range from mild to life-threatening, depending on the severity of the condition.
This article covers thyrotoxicosis symptoms, potential complications, and when to see your healthcare provider.
geckophotos / Getty Images
Symptoms of Thyrotoxicosis
Mild thyrotoxicosis often does not cause symptoms. As the condition becomes more severe, common symptoms may occur, including:
People with autoimmuneGraves’ diseasemay experience additional symptoms, including swelling of the fingertips, skin changes on the legs (e.g., redness, thickening), andeye problems, such as swelling, eye bulging, and dryness.
Rare symptoms of thyrotoxicosis include:
When left untreated, thyrotoxicosis can lead to serious health complications, including:
Thyroid storm:A rare but life-threatening emergency that requires immediate medical attention. Thyroid storm symptoms include accelerated heart rate, elevated blood pressure, and increased body temperature.People who experience a thyroid storm may become agitated, confused, and restless, may sweat excessively, and may become delirious.
Bone loss: An excess of thyroid hormones harms bone health and can accelerate bone loss, leading to weaker bones and an increased risk of fractures.Thyrotoxicosis increases the risk of developingosteoporosis, a loss of bone mineral density and bone mass.
Heart problems: High levels of thyroid hormones in the body are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular issues, including anenlarged heart,arrhythmia(irregular heartbeat),angina(chest pain),high systolic blood pressure, andheart failure.
Thyroid eye disease: Early symptoms include itchy, watery eyes that feel gritty. Some people with thyroid eye disease also experience sensitivity to light, pain when moving the eyes, and swelling that gives the eyes a bulging appearance. As the disease progresses, vision impairment and difficulty closing or moving the eyes can occur.Thyroid eye disease is most common in people with Graves' disease.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If you have symptoms of thyrotoxicosis, make an appointment with your healthcare provider. They will take your family and medical history and ask about your symptoms, including how long you’ve been experiencing them and how severe each symptom is.
Your healthcare provider will perform a physical examination to look for signs ofhyperthyroidism(overactive thyroid) and thyrotoxicosis, such as rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, and dry skin. They will also examine your neck and palpate your thyroid gland to check for signs of tenderness, enlargement, or nodules.Blood tests may be required to check your thyroid hormone levels for an accurate diagnosis.
If you’ve been diagnosed with thyrotoxicosis, you will see your healthcare provider regularly to check yourthyroid hormone levelsand monitor your symptoms. You should see your healthcare provider if you develop new or worsening symptoms. They may adjust your medication or recommend another treatment to better manage your symptoms.
When to Seek Emergency CareCall911or go to the nearest emergency room if you or a loved one has a fever, rapid heartbeat, chest pain, difficulty breathing, or a change in awareness. These symptoms indicate that you may be experiencing a thyroid storm or a cardiac event.
When to Seek Emergency Care
Call911or go to the nearest emergency room if you or a loved one has a fever, rapid heartbeat, chest pain, difficulty breathing, or a change in awareness. These symptoms indicate that you may be experiencing a thyroid storm or a cardiac event.
Summary
Thyrotoxicosis is a rare condition associated with excess levels of thyroid hormones in the body. Common symptoms include weight loss, heart palpitations, heat intolerance, agitation, anxiety, tremors, menstrual problems, and sweating. Rare symptoms include hair loss, fertility problems, and thyrotoxic periodic paralysis.
Left untreated, thyrotoxicosis can lead to serious medical problems, including cardiac issues, bone loss, and potentially life-threatening thyroid storm.Talk to your healthcare provider if you have symptoms of thyrotoxicosis. The condition is highly treatable, and most people can manage symptoms and have a good quality of life with appropriate treatment.
14 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Society for Endocrinology.Thyroid gland.Pearce EN.Diagnosis and management of thyrotoxicosis.BMJ. 2006;332(7554):1369-1373. doi:10.1136/bmj.332.7554.1369Society for Endocrinology.Thyrotoxicosis.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Graves’ disease.British Thyroid Foundation.Rare thyroid disorders.Medline Plus.Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis.Virginia Mason Franciscan Health.Thyrotoxicosis.Medline Plus.Thyroid storm.British Thyroid Foundation.Thyroid disorders and osteoporosis.Raguthu CC, Gajjela H, Kela I, et al.Cardiovascular involvement in thyrotoxicosis resulting in heart failure: the risk factors and hemodynamic implications.Cureus. 2022;14(1):e21213. doi:10.7759/cureus.21213American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery.Thyroid eye disease.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Thyroid eye disease.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Thyroid eye disease.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Thyroid tests.
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Society for Endocrinology.Thyroid gland.Pearce EN.Diagnosis and management of thyrotoxicosis.BMJ. 2006;332(7554):1369-1373. doi:10.1136/bmj.332.7554.1369Society for Endocrinology.Thyrotoxicosis.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Graves’ disease.British Thyroid Foundation.Rare thyroid disorders.Medline Plus.Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis.Virginia Mason Franciscan Health.Thyrotoxicosis.Medline Plus.Thyroid storm.British Thyroid Foundation.Thyroid disorders and osteoporosis.Raguthu CC, Gajjela H, Kela I, et al.Cardiovascular involvement in thyrotoxicosis resulting in heart failure: the risk factors and hemodynamic implications.Cureus. 2022;14(1):e21213. doi:10.7759/cureus.21213American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery.Thyroid eye disease.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Thyroid eye disease.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Thyroid eye disease.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Thyroid tests.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Society for Endocrinology.Thyroid gland.Pearce EN.Diagnosis and management of thyrotoxicosis.BMJ. 2006;332(7554):1369-1373. doi:10.1136/bmj.332.7554.1369Society for Endocrinology.Thyrotoxicosis.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Graves’ disease.British Thyroid Foundation.Rare thyroid disorders.Medline Plus.Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis.Virginia Mason Franciscan Health.Thyrotoxicosis.Medline Plus.Thyroid storm.British Thyroid Foundation.Thyroid disorders and osteoporosis.Raguthu CC, Gajjela H, Kela I, et al.Cardiovascular involvement in thyrotoxicosis resulting in heart failure: the risk factors and hemodynamic implications.Cureus. 2022;14(1):e21213. doi:10.7759/cureus.21213American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery.Thyroid eye disease.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Thyroid eye disease.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Thyroid eye disease.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Thyroid tests.
Society for Endocrinology.Thyroid gland.
Pearce EN.Diagnosis and management of thyrotoxicosis.BMJ. 2006;332(7554):1369-1373. doi:10.1136/bmj.332.7554.1369
Society for Endocrinology.Thyrotoxicosis.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Graves’ disease.
British Thyroid Foundation.Rare thyroid disorders.
Medline Plus.Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis.
Virginia Mason Franciscan Health.Thyrotoxicosis.
Medline Plus.Thyroid storm.
British Thyroid Foundation.Thyroid disorders and osteoporosis.
Raguthu CC, Gajjela H, Kela I, et al.Cardiovascular involvement in thyrotoxicosis resulting in heart failure: the risk factors and hemodynamic implications.Cureus. 2022;14(1):e21213. doi:10.7759/cureus.21213
American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery.Thyroid eye disease.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Thyroid eye disease.
National Organization for Rare Disorders.Thyroid eye disease.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Thyroid tests.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
