Hyperthyroidism?!

Hyperthyroidism?

A month ago it was determined that I had slight hyperthyroidism (by a 0.5 deviation from normal values -- not a very large one as described by my doctor) and an ultrasound scan has determined the presence of a 'cold' nodule. So my question is if this cold nodule is not producing extra hormones, then what is the cause of the hyperthyroidism... and what can be done about both, the hyperthyroidism and the cold nodule.

thanks!

There are a couple of things that can cause hyperthyroidism. Grave's Disease is an auto-immune disease in which your body's immune system attacks the thyroid, and the anti-thyroid antibodies stimulate the thyroid to overproduce thyroid hormone. Thyroiditis can also be a cause of hyperthyroidism, but you would probably have noticed a sore, swollen thyroid were this the case.

Hyperthyroidism can be treated with anti-thyroid medication, which partially blocks the thyroid from producing thyroid hormone. The drugs can be very effective in controlling symptoms, but they don't actually treat the underlying cause of the hyperthyroidism. To treat the cause of the condition, part of the thyroid could be removed surgically (to remove the nodule and/or to decrease the overall production of thyroid hormone), or you could be treated with radioactive iodine to destroy some of your thyroid tissue. The thyroid is the only tissue in the body that active imports iodine, so this form of radiation therapy (administered in the form of a pill you swallow) is very specific and relatively safe (the iodine doesn't collect anywhere else in the body). Thyroid tissue gobbles up the radioactive iodine just as it would any other iodine from your diet, but the radiation destroys the cells. As with surgically removing part of your thyroid, the goal would be to take only some of your thyroid out of production.

Good luck to you! I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis.