For years, Harry Thorn attributed his sleepless nights, racing heart, and constant sweating to his anxious personality. However, these symptoms were indicative of a serious, often overlooked condition: hyperthyroidism, also known as an overactive thyroid.
Thorn, 27, a fat-loss coach, experienced persistent insomnia, heart palpitations, and a feeling of being perpetually overheated. He also noted increased hunger, which he initially used to support his muscle-building goals, consuming up to 6,000 calories daily. "I had convinced myself the symptoms were just who I was. I never considered there could be a medical reason behind them," Thorn stated.
His realization came during a fitness test for his exercise science degree. While wired to a heart rate monitor before beginning his cycling, his heart rate was recorded at 110 beats per minute, significantly above the normal resting range of 60 to 100 beats per minute. This prompted his instructor to advise him to seek medical assessment.
Weeks of tests, including blood pressure checks and an electrocardiogram, failed to identify the cause. It was only as a last resort that a doctor suggested testing for a thyroid problem, a condition more commonly associated with women. Blood test results confirmed Thorn had hyperthyroidism, caused by Graves' disease, an autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks the thyroid gland, leading to excessive production of thyroid hormone.
Dr. Saira Hameed, a consultant endocrinologist, explains that hyperthyroidism speeds up numerous bodily processes, including heart rate and metabolism. Symptoms such as a racing heart, excessive sweating, heat intolerance, anxiety, tremors, diarrhea, insomnia, and unexplained weight loss are nonspecific and can be easily mistaken for stress, anxiety, or personality traits. She notes that heat intolerance that cannot be attributed to a mood disorder should prompt consideration of an overactive thyroid.
While hyperthyroidism affects about 1 percent of women, it impacts only 0.1 percent of men. This disparity is partly due to autoimmune conditions being more prevalent in women, potentially influenced by hormones like estrogen. Conversely, symptoms like sweating and feeling unusually hot can be mistaken for menopause in women, while men like Thorn may delay seeking medical attention.
Lyn Mynott, founder of Thyroid UK, suggests that once men do seek help, hyperthyroidism can sometimes be identified more quickly due to the often more recognizable symptoms. However, untreated hyperthyroidism can lead to severe complications, including mood disturbances, heart rhythm problems like atrial fibrillation, osteoporosis, and eventually heart failure.
Thorn was prescribed carbimazole to reduce thyroid hormone production. He initially required high doses, which he did not tolerate well. He is now on a low maintenance dose, taken weekly or bi-weekly. He has found that certain high-calorie or fatty foods can trigger flare-ups, and he has adjusted his diet accordingly. "I'm no longer tired and wired all the time, and my concentration and focus are also much better," Thorn said.
Dr. Hameed advises that while there is no specific diet for hyperthyroidism, limiting caffeine can help manage symptoms like rapid heart rate or tremors. She encourages men to consult their doctors and ask for thyroid blood tests, emphasizing that prompt diagnosis leads to effective treatment.