Chest pain, trouble breathing, sudden weakness on one side, a fit or heavy bleeding needs help now, not an appointment.

112Any emergency108Ambulance102Pregnancy and newborn
Check a symptomManage a conditionHealth calculatorsUnderstand a lab reportFirst aid
Hormones and metabolism

Hyperthyroidism

Also called overactive thyroid, high thyroid, thyroid high, fast thyroid, thyrotoxicosis

What it isSignsWhat to doWhat to avoidFeel betterCall a doctor

What this condition is

Hyperthyroidism is the opposite of an underactive thyroid. Here the thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone, which speeds the body up. You may feel your heart racing, lose weight even while eating well, or feel restless and warm. It can feel unsettling, but it is treatable. With medicines and close follow up with your doctor, the thyroid can be brought back into balance and these symptoms usually settle.

Signs to watch for

  • Fast or pounding heartbeat
  • Weight loss despite a good appetite
  • Feeling hot and sweating easily
  • Restlessness, anxiety or irritability
  • Trembling hands
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Loose motions or frequent stools
  • Swelling in the neck or prominent eyes in some people

What to do

  • Take your anti thyroid medicines exactly as prescribed
  • Get your blood tests done on time to track progress
  • Eat regular, balanced meals to support your weight
  • Rest well and pace yourself through the day
  • Tell your doctor about any new or worsening symptoms

What to avoid

  • Do not stop your medicine suddenly on your own
  • Avoid excess caffeine, which can worsen palpitations
  • Do not ignore a fast or irregular heartbeat
  • Avoid skipping your follow up tests

Ways to feel better day to day

  • Use calming routines like deep breathing to ease restlessness
  • Keep your bedroom cool and dark for better sleep
  • Eat enough protein and calories while you are losing weight
  • Protect your eyes with sunglasses if they feel dry or sensitive
  • Build a steady daily rhythm of meals, rest and gentle activity

Speak to a doctor if

  • A very fast or irregular heartbeat
  • High fever with severe agitation or confusion
  • Severe weakness or breathlessness
  • Worsening eye pain, redness or vision changes
  • Symptoms getting worse despite treatment

Your next step

Turn this into a plan that is yours

Everything above is general. Your dose, your targets and your test schedule depend on your age, your reports and the other conditions you live with.

Consult a doctorCheck my numbers

Get care for this

Doctors and care for hyperthyroidism

Verified Teleprac doctors you can see online or in a clinic, lab tests with home sample collection, and genuine medicines delivered to your door.

See all conditions

How to use this page. It explains conditions in plain language so that you can take part in your own care and know when to call. It is not a diagnosis and it does not know your age, your pregnancy, your kidney or liver function, or the other medicines you take. Please do not start, stop or change any medicine on your own.

Consult a doctorGeneral Medicine

More free tools in the Health Hub

Open Health Hub
Check a symptomSomething feels wrong and you want to know what it could be and who to seeHealth calculatorsYou have a number, such as weight, waist or blood pressure, and want to know what it meansUnderstand a lab reportYou have a lab report with sugar, thyroid, cholesterol or blood counts and want to know what it meansFirst aidSomething has just happened to someone and you need to know what to do right now

Emergency numbers in India

Save these in your phone now, not when you need them. Tap any number to call it.

112Any emergencyOne number for police, fire and ambulance across India108AmbulanceFree emergency ambulance in most states and union territories102Pregnancy and newbornAmbulance for mothers and babies in most states14416Mental health supportTele MANAS, free counselling every hour of the day, many languages1800 116 117Poisoning or overdoseNational Poisons Information Centre, AIIMS New Delhi1098Child in distressChildline India, free and confidential

Where to read more

Public health sources written for patients rather than for doctors, and kept up to date.

Ministry of Health and Family WelfareOfficial Indian health programmes, advisories and public guidanceWorld Health Organization health topicsGlobal fact sheets written for the public, on hundreds of topicsNHS health A to ZPlain language pages on symptoms, conditions, tests and treatmentsMedlinePlusPatient information from the United States National Library of MedicineTele MANASIndia's national mental health support service, free and available all day

Important: Everything in Teleprac patient resources is general health education. It does not give you a diagnosis and it cannot replace examination by a qualified doctor, because it does not know your age, your reports, your pregnancy or the other medicines you take. Please do not start, stop or change any medicine on your own. Teleprac Healthcare is not liable for decisions made on the basis of this information. In an emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest hospital immediately.