| In this condition, due to the overactivity of the thyroid | | | | tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure |
| gland, there is an increased production of thyroid | | | | may occur, and one may think of a basic heart |
| hormones which are constantly pushed into the blood, | | | | problem rather than a thyroid disease. |
| so that the whole metabolism of the body gets | | | | Another symptom of an overactive thyroid gland is a |
| elevated. | | | | loss of weight in spite of an increased appetite. The |
| As explained above, solitary nodule/s in a thyroid gland, | | | | skin is moist and warm even in cold weather, and one |
| or nodule/s of a multinodular goiter may become | | | | can easily feel this by touching the hands of the |
| responsible for the overactivity of the thyroid gland. | | | | patient. Especially in Graves' disease, the eyes may |
| The whole thyroid gland may become enlarged in | | | | look prominent, or may even bulge out (exophthalmos). |
| many middle-aged or younger persons. The blood | | | | Early symptoms/warning signals of a hyperactive |
| supply in such an enlarged gland may be increased | | | | thyroid gland: |
| markedly, so that on placing a hand on such a thyroid | | | | In spite of the above symptomatology, the patient is |
| gland, a thrill may be felt. This autoimmune thyroid | | | | often late in reporting his problem, may be more than a |
| disease is called Graves' disease - named after | | | | year, in some of the cases. Hence, whenever, one |
| Robert Graves. | | | | observes symptoms like palpitation, especially when |
| As a result of the increased metabolism/ activity of | | | | there is an increased pulse rate in sleep, nervousness, |
| the body, the patient feels restless, tense or excited, | | | | loss of weight, one must look for a swelling/ nodule/ s |
| and even emotionally upset. Fine tremors of the fingers | | | | in the thyroid and/or immediately consult the physician. |
| hands are usually noticed when the patient is asked to | | | | It is not unusual to see the patient with a reasonably |
| stretch forward both his arms with fingers opened | | | | enlarged thyroid gland and he/she is totally unaware of |
| wide. | | | | it. |
| Due to the same reason, the heart rate is markedly | | | | The disease may actually remain hidden for quite a |
| increased, and palpitation is a normal complaint. The | | | | long time, and may be precipitated when the patient |
| pulse, while sleeping should be counted to differentiate | | | | feels mentally upset due to unforeseen circumstances. |
| the condition from nervousness/anxiety, in which case | | | | One should be more cautious when there is a positive |
| the pulse rate should be normal. On measuring the | | | | family history of Graves' disease. |
| blood pressure, the upper or systolic blood pressure | | | | Late cases of hyperactive thyroid gland: |
| should be elevated, and the lower or diastolic should | | | | However, if the patient has neglected his ailment, all |
| show a lower level. The difference between these | | | | through, weakness of the muscles of the limbs may |
| two readings of blood pressure is called pulse | | | | develop (thyrotoxic myopathy). He may even suffer |
| pressure, which increases in such cases. | | | | from a serious disorder / emergency called thyrotoxic |
| In some cases, and more so in young patients, other | | | | crisis. |
| manifestations of the heart, like supraventricular | | | | |