Key Takeaways
- Understanding hyperthyroidism seniors is important for seniors and their caregivers.
- Common symptoms include:
- The health care provider will do a physical exam.
- Treatment depends on the cause and severity of symptoms.
- Hyperthyroidism is treatable.
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What Are the Common Causes and Risk Factors?
Understanding hyperthyroidism seniors is important for seniors and their caregivers. the thyroid gland is an important organ of the
endocrine
system. It is located at the front of the neck just above where your collarbones meet. The gland makes the hormones that control the way every cell in the body uses energy. This process is called
metabolism
.
Many diseases and conditions can cause hyperthyroidism, including:
-
Graves disease
(most common cause of hyperthyroidism)
- Inflammation (thyroiditis) of the thyroid due to viral infections, some medicines, or after pregnancy (common)
- Taking too much thyroid hormone (common)
- Noncancerous growths of the thyroid gland or pituitary gland (rare)
-
Some tumors of the
testes
or ovaries (rare)
- Getting medical imaging tests with contrast dye that has iodine (rare, and only if there is already a problem with the thyroid)
- Eating too much of foods that contain iodine (very rare, and only if there is already a problem with the thyroid)
Common symptoms include:
What Are the Symptoms and Warning Signs?
- Anxiety
- Difficulty concentrating
-
Fatigue
- Frequent bowel movements
-
Goiter
(visibly enlarged thyroid gland) or
thyroid nodules
- Hair loss
-
Hand tremor
-
Heat intolerance
-
Increased appetite
-
Increased sweating
- Irregular menstrual periods in women
- Nail changes (thickness or flaking)
- Nervousness
-
Pounding or racing heart beat (
palpitations
)
-
Restlessness
- Sleep problems
-
Weight loss
(or weight gain, in some cases)
Other symptoms that can occur with this condition:
- Breast development in men
- Clammy skin
- Diarrhea
- Feeling faint when you raise your hands
-
High blood pressure
- Itchy or irritated eyes
- Itchy skin
- Nausea and vomiting
-
Protruding eyes
(exophthalmos)
- Skin blushing or flushing
- Skin rash on the shins
-
Weakness
of the hips and shoulders
The health care provider will do a physical exam. The exam may find the following: heart rate reflexes Blood tests are also ordered to measure your thyroid hormones (free thyroxine or free T4 and triiodothyronine or T3) and a pituitary hormone that regulates the thyroid gland (thyroid stimulating hormone or TSH ). You may also have blood tests to check: Glucose Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulin (TSI) Imaging tests of the thyroid may also be needed, including: Radioactive iodine uptake and scan Thyroid ultrasound (rarely)
Treatment depends on the cause and severity of symptoms. Hyperthyroidism is usually treated with one or more of the following: If your thyroid is removed with surgery or destroyed with radioactive iodine, you must take thyroid hormone replacement pills for the rest of your life. Medicines called beta-blockers may be prescribed to treat symptoms such as fast heart rate, tremor, sweating, and anxiety until the hyperthyroidism can be controlled. Hyperthyroidism is treatable. Some causes, such as thyroiditis, may go away without treatment. Hyperthyroidism caused by Graves disease usually gets worse over time. It has many complications, some of which are severe and affect quality of life. Thyroid crisis (also called thyroid storm) is a sudden worsening of hyperthyroidism symptoms that may occur with infection or stress. Fever, decreased alertness, and abdominal pain may occur. People need to be treated in the hospital. Other complications of hyperthyroidism include: Surgery-related complications, including: Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
Tobacco use may make some complications of hyperthyroidism worse. Contact your provider if you have symptoms of hyperthyroidism. Go to an emergency room or call 911 or the local emergency number if you have: Rapid, irregular heartbeat Contact your provider if you are being treated for hyperthyroidism and you develop symptoms of underactive thyroid, including: Depression Thyrotoxicosis; Overactive thyroid; Graves disease – hyperthyroidism; Thyroiditis – hyperthyroidism; Toxic goiter – hyperthyroidism; Thyroid nodules – hyperthyroidism; Thyroid hormone – hyperthyroidism Thyroid gland removal – discharge Endocrine glands Goiter Brain-thyroid link Thyroid gland Hollenberg A, Wiersinga W, Bartalena L, Feldt-Rasmussen U. Hyperthyroid disorders. In: Melmed S, Auchus RJ, Goldfine AB, Rosen CJ, Kopp PA, eds.
Williams Textbook of Endocrinology . 15th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 10. Pearce EN, Hollenberg AN. Thyroid. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds.
Goldman-Cecil Medicine . 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 207. Ross DS, Burch HB, Cooper DS, et al. 2016 American Thyroid Association guidelines for diagnosis and management of hyperthyroidism and other causes of thyrotoxicosis.
Thyroid . 2016;26(10):1343-1421. PMID: 27521067 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27521067/ . Updated by: Sandeep K. Dhaliwal, MD, board-certified in Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Springfield, VA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. Hyperthyroidism endocrine system. It is located at the front of the neck just above where your collarbones meet. Anxiety Difficulty concentrating Fatigue Frequent bowel movements Goiter (visibly enlarged thyroid gland) or thyroid nodules Hair loss Hand tremor Heat intolerance Increased appetite Increased sweating Irregular menstrual periods in women Nail changes (thickness or flaking) Nervousness Pounding or racing heart beat ( palpitations ) Restlessness Sleep problems Weight loss (or weight gain, in some cases) Other symptoms that can occur with this condition: Breast development in men Clammy skin Diarrhea Feeling faint when you raise your hands High blood pressure Itchy or irritated eyes Itchy skin Nausea and vomiting Protruding eyes (exophthalmos) Skin blushing or flushing Skin rash on the shins Weakness of the hips and shoulders 📖 What Are Exams and Tests? High systolic blood pressure (the first number in a blood pressure reading) Increased heart rate Enlarged thyroid gland Shaking of the hands Swelling or inflammation around the eyes Very strong reflexes Skin, hair, and nail changes Blood tests are also ordered to measure your thyroid hormones (free thyroxine or free T4 and triiodothyronine or T3) and a pituitary hormone that regulates the thyroid gland (thyroid stimulating hormone or TSH ). You may also have blood tests to check: Cholesterol levels Glucose Specialized thyroid tests like Thyroid receptor antibody (TRAb) or Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulin (TSI) Imaging tests of the thyroid may also be needed, including: Radioactive iodine uptake and scan Thyroid ultrasound (rarely) 📖 How Is It Treated? Antithyroid medicines (propylthiouracil or methimazole) which reduce or block the effects of the extra thyroid hormone Radioactive iodine to destroy the thyroid gland and stop the excess production of hormones Surgery to remove the thyroid If your thyroid is removed with surgery or destroyed with radioactive iodine, you must take thyroid hormone replacement pills for the rest of your life. Medicines called beta-blockers may be prescribed to treat symptoms such as fast heart rate, tremor, sweating, and anxiety until the hyperthyroidism can be controlled. About the Author: This article was researched and written by the SilverWell Hub editorial team. It was medically reviewed by Dr. Sarah Mitchell, MD, Geriatrics. Sources: This article is adapted from MedlinePlus, a service of the National Library of Medicine. Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only. See our full Medical Disclaimer. Published: July 21, 2026 | Next review: January 2027
📖 What Are Exams and Tests?
What Are Exams and Tests?
📖 How Is It Treated?
How Is It Treated?
📖 What Is Outlook (Prognosis)?
What Is Outlook (Prognosis)?
📖 What Are Possible Complications?
What Are Possible Complications?
📖 When to Contact a Medical Professional?
When to Contact a Medical Professional?
📖 What Are Patient Instructions?
What Are Patient Instructions?
Frequently Asked Questions
Key Takeaways
The health care provider will do a physical exam. Treatment depends on the cause and severity of symptoms.What Are the Common Causes and Risk Factors?
What Are the Symptoms and Warning Signs?
What Are Exams and Tests?
How Is It Treated?
