Detect hyperthyroidism from signs of shortness of breath and rapid heartbeat

Ho Chi Minh City Ngoc, 19 years old, for the past 6 months often has difficulty breathing, rapid heartbeat, especially when climbing stairs, jogging, the doctor examined and discovered increased thyroid hormone.

On January 15, Dr. Truong Thi Vanh Khuyen, Department of Endocrinology - Diabetes, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, said that Ngoc, who lives in Tien Giang, had a heart rate of 150 times per minute. Blood test results showed that thyroid hormone was above the threshold, unmeasurable (normal level 12-22 pmol/l), TSH hormone decreased to 0.005 microIU/ml (normal 0.27-4.2 microIU/ml).

The doctor diagnosed Ngoc with hyperthyroidism (increased thyroid hormone production), requiring thyroid hormone and heart rate adjustment to avoid complications such as heart failure. The patient was treated with synthetic antithyroid drugs and heart rate stabilizers, discharged after 5 days of treatment, and returned for a follow-up visit after a week.

Doctor Khuyen said that recently, Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City received an average of 3-4 women with hyperthyroidism a week, most of whom had symptoms of shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, and weak legs.

Phuong, 18 years old, living in Ho Chi Minh City, was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism a month ago but often forgot to take her medication, leading to palpitations, shortness of breath, and weakness in her limbs. When she fainted at school, Phuong was taken to the emergency room, where doctors administered IV fluids, prescribed heart rate control drugs, and antithyroid drugs. After three days of treatment, Phuong was no longer tired, her heart rate was stable, and she was discharged from the hospital.

Phuong's neck is swollen due to hyperthyroidism. Photo: Dinh Tien — Phuong's neck is swollen due to hyperthyroidism. Photo: *Dinh Tien*

Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland releases more thyroid hormones (FT4 and FT3) than the body needs. The thyroid gland helps regulate temperature, control heart rate, and control metabolism. Therefore, an increase or decrease in thyroid hormones can affect the entire body.

According to Dr. Phuong, women are 10 times more likely to develop thyroid disease than men. Women aged 20-40 are more likely to develop hyperthyroidism due to hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, childbirth, etc. The higher rate of autoimmune diseases in women than in men is one of the reasons for the increased risk of autoimmune thyroid disease.

Symptoms of hyperthyroidism are easily confused with physical weakness and other diseases such as shortness of breath, fatigue, weakness in limbs, rapid heartbeat, tremors, anxiety, weight loss, increased appetite, diarrhea...

The length of time it takes to treat hyperthyroidism depends on the cause and the treatment. Some common treatments include antithyroid medications that help prevent the thyroid from producing too much thyroid hormone. Oral radioactive iodine helps destroy thyroid cells.

Surgery may be indicated when drug treatment is ineffective, hyperthyroidism with goiter causes difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing... The doctor removes part or all of the patient's thyroid gland.

Dr. Khuyen noted that hyperthyroidism causes dangerous health complications. To prevent this, people with a family history of thyroid disease should have a check-up every year to screen and detect the disease. People with symptoms of hyperthyroidism should see an Endocrinologist - Diabetes specialist for treatment to prevent complications.

Dinh Tien

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