■Kim Gyeong-jin, professor of endocrinology at Anam Hospital of Korea University
“Hyperthyroidism”, excessive secretion of thyroid hormones
Grace’s disease, in which the eyeball protrudes forward, accounts for 80 to 90 percent of cases.
There are various causes… An accurate differential diagnosis through professional medical analgesia is necessary.
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Former EXID member Solji underwent orbital decompression surgery a few years ago while battling hyperthyroidism. Photo = Solji’s Instagram
Former EXID member Solji drew sadness from fans after news broke that he underwent orbital decompression surgery while battling hyperthyroidism a few years ago. Besides Solji, several celebrities in the past, including broadcaster Seo Yu-ri and Chinese actor Jet Lee, have shown their faces changed with bulging eyes. All of these were found to be symptoms of “Graves’ disease,” the most common cause of hyperthyroidism.
The thyroid gland, located in a butterfly shape in the front center of the neck, is an endocrine organ that regulates the body’s basic metabolic rate and supports various physiological activities. Hormones secreted by the thyroid gland play a key role in the body’s metabolism, including growth and development, as well as regulating oxygen consumption and heat production to increase heart rate and red blood cell production. An underactive or overactive thyroid gland can cause a variety of health problems.
Hyperthyroidism is a disease caused by excessive secretion of hormones by the thyroid gland. The incidence rate is 5 to 10 times higher in women than in men, and the prevalence rate is highest among those in their sixties. Hyperthyroidism is considered a major cause of abnormally accelerated body metabolism. Weight loss is the most common symptom of hyperthyroidism. Patients may experience unexpected weight loss despite increased appetite. This is because excess thyroid hormones increase the body’s metabolic rate, resulting in weight loss. A goiter may develop and appear as a lump in the neck area. You may experience heart palpitations or an irregular heartbeat, and you may become sensitive to heat, feel hot more quickly, or sweat more than usual. You may experience emotional instability such as tiredness, anxiety, or nervousness, or you may become nervous. Female patients may experience decreased menstrual flow or changes in their menstrual cycle. Patients with hyperthyroidism often experience significant disruption in their daily lives due to various physical symptoms, and their quality of life is significantly reduced.
The most common cause of hyperthyroidism is Graves’ disease, a type of autoimmune disease. Graves’ disease, which accounts for 80-90% of hyperthyroidism patients in Korea, causes the immune system to malfunction, attacking the thyroid gland and causing excessive production of thyroid hormones. The typical symptom of Graves’ disease is the protrusion of the eyeball forward. In some cases, problems with the thyroid gland itself, such as thyroiditis or certain thyroid nodules, affect the mechanism of secretion and regulation of thyroid hormones, leading to hyperthyroidism.
Among environmental factors, imbalance in iodine intake is considered an important cause of hyperthyroidism. Iodine is an essential ingredient in the synthesis of thyroid hormones. An excessive or deficient diet in iodine can directly affect the production of thyroid hormones and cause thyroid disease. The hectic pace of life and stress in modern society are also important causes of hyperthyroidism. Continuous exposure to stress weakens the function of the immune system. It may increase the risk of developing autoimmune diseases and the possibility of hyperthyroidism.
Hyperthyroidism is diagnosed through autoimmune antibody testing, thyroid function tests, thyroid scan, and ultrasound. It is important to differentiate it precisely since it can be caused by various causes, such as pituitary tumor or thyrotoxic adenoma. The treatment method is determined by considering the patient’s age, pregnancy and the size of the goiter. In the early stages, it is common to control hormone levels through drug treatments such as antithyroid drugs. If the drug does not respond or side effects occur, radioisotope therapy or thyroidectomy may be considered. Radioactive iodine treatment is a method of destroying activated thyroid tissue by taking iodine-containing radioactivity. If control is difficult with these treatments, thyroidectomy, which surgically removes part or all of the thyroid gland, is attempted. Only after meeting with a doctor and making an accurate diagnosis can an appropriate treatment plan be established.
To prevent and manage hyperthyroidism, it is very important to practice a healthy lifestyle. It is also helpful to maintain physical health through regular exercise. To manage stress, it’s also a good idea to get adequate rest and find your own ways to relieve stress. Hyperthyroidism can be completely controlled and completely cured through proper management and treatment. Remember that the key to managing your disease most effectively is to adopt healthy lifestyle habits in daily life based on interest and understanding of your health condition and consistently receive treatment according to the advice of professional medical personnel.
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Gyeongjin Kim, professor of endocrinology at Anam Hospital of Korea University. Photo courtesy of Korea University Anam Hospital
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