hyperthyroidism
A doctor explains hyperthyroidism using a medical diagram of the thyroid gland.
Noun: 1. A medical condition characterized by an overactive thyroid gland: Hyperthyroidism is a disorder in which the thyroid gland produces and secretes excessive amounts of thyroid hormones (thyroxine and triiodothyronine). 2. The state resulting from pathological overproduction of thyroid hormones: This condition accelerates the body's metabolism, leading to a variety of symptoms.
Hyperthyroidism is used as a non-count noun to name the medical condition itself. * The patient was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. * Hyperthyroidism can cause symptoms such as weight loss, rapid heartbeat, and anxiety. * Treatment for hyperthyroidism may include medication, radioactive iodine, or surgery.
- Clinical Context: The term is primarily used in medical, clinical, and endocrinological contexts to discuss diagnosis, etiology, symptoms, and treatment.
- Graves' disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism.
- Contrast with Hypothyroidism: It is often discussed in contrast to its opposite condition, hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland).
- While hyperthyroidism speeds up metabolism, hypothyroidism slows it down.
- Hyperthyroid (adjective): Pertaining to or affected by hyperthyroidism.
- The patient exhibited hyperthyroid symptoms.
- Thyrotoxicosis (noun): A synonym often used interchangeably in medical contexts, though it can more specifically denote the clinical syndrome of excess thyroid hormone, regardless of the source.
- Thyrotoxicosis: A condition resulting from excessive quantities of thyroid hormones.
- Overactive thyroid: A more common, non-technical term for the condition.
- Hypothyroidism: A condition characterized by an underactive thyroid gland and insufficient production of thyroid hormones.
A doctor explains hyperthyroidism using a medical diagram of the thyroid gland.
- an overactive thyroid gland; pathologically excessive production of thyroid hormones or the condition resulting from excessive production of thyroid hormones