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Essay about Hyperthyroidism: Thyroid Disease and the Heart

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Hyperthyroidism Chronic diseases such as hyperthyroidism can be debilitating if not managed well. Hyperthyroidism is an overactive thyroid gland that secrets too much hormones throughout the body causing many different clinical manifestations within all systems. The thyroid gland is located right underneath the larynx also known as the voice box, and straddling the windpipe.

It consists of two types of tissues, follicular and parafollicular. The follicular tissues are the ones that secrete hormones containing iodine called thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). The parafollicular tissues secrete the hormone called calcitonin. Together these play an important role regulating calcium balance and metabolism. Thyroid hormones regulate …show more content…

The progression of this disease may cause tissue damage as a result from fluctuating hormones. Toxic nodular goiters are nodules that secrete thyroid hormones independent of TSH stimulation. They are usually benign follicular adenomas. Nodules larger than about 3 cm can cause a thyrotoxic crisis, also known as thyroid storm. This is a life threatening emergency; death is rare if treatment is initiated early and vigorously. Neurological Manifestation of Hyperthyroidism
The central effects of hyperthyroidism are most pronounced in development. Cerebral circulation and oxygen consumption elevate. "In hyperthyroidism, Beta-adrenergic binding sites in the cerebral cortex increases and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) binding sites are decreases." (Bucurescu,2014). Brain levels of serotonin, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, and substance P are altered. Native pain sensitivity and number of opiate receptors are increases. Thyroid hormones affect myelination, therefore increased levels lead to oxidative damage to the myelin membrane and/or the oligodendroglial cells. The neurological manifestation is primarily due to the effect of thyroid hormones on other neurotransmitters, hormones, and generalized increased basal metabolic rate. Some of the neurological symptoms are:
 Confusion
 Seizures
 Nervousness and tremor, emotional lability
 Heat intolerance
 increased sensitivity to pain
Neuropsychiatric syndromes include

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