What Happens if Hyperthyroidism Is Left Untreated? Complications You May Face and Ways To Avoid Them

Something feels off in your body and you immediately begin scouring the internet in search of a self-diagnosis.

You get a long list of possible conditions, some suggesting the problem will go away on its own, others so alarming you think for a second about seeing your doctor.

You decide against calling your doctor, convincing yourself it’s nothing –– until your symptoms return. Yet you keep putting it off while weeks turn into months.

We’ve all been there.

No one likes bad news, especially when it comes to your health. 

But ignoring a condition like hyperthyroidism can make matters worse.

Hyperthyroidism is manageable, but an unchecked overactive thyroid can wreak havoc on your health and lead to more serious conditions. 



In this article, we dive into the details of hyperthyroidism and why treatment is critical if you want to get back to being a happier, healthier you.

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It has been estimated that over 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease and up to 60% of those people are unaware of their condition.

If you are a woman, you are five to eight times more likely than men to have thyroid problems.

The good news is, hyperthyroidism is treatable.

Hyperthyroidism, not to be confused with hypothyroidism, happens when the thyroid gland goes into overdrive and produces too much thyroid hormone. 

The thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland that’s smaller in the middle and bows out around either side of the base of the neck around the windpipe or trachea.

The thyroid gland produces two main hormones, thyroxine (T-4) and triiodothyronine (T-3), that affect every cell in the body.

Thyroid hormones also control your metabolism and help your body convert the food you consume into energy. 

In addition to controlling your metabolism, thyroid hormones control the function of all organs in your body, including your heart and brain.

Also referred to as overactive thyroid, hyperthyroidism causes the thyroid gland to secrete too much T-3 and T-4 hormones into the bloodstream, causing symptoms like weight loss, hand tremors, and rapid or irregular heartbeat.

Hyperthyroidism can be caused by several medical conditions that affect the thyroid gland, like:

• Graves' disease, the most common cause of hyperthyroidism, is an autoimmune disorder that causes the immune system to attack the thyroid gland. In response, the thyroid overproduces the thyroid hormone.
• Overactive thyroid nodules, both benign and cancerous, create lumps that become separated from the rest of the thyroid gland, making it bigger than normal and prompting the thyroid gland to secrete too much T-3 and T-4. This condition is also known as:
• Toxic adenoma
• Toxic multinodular goiter; and 
• Plummer disease
• Thyroiditis happens when the thyroid gland becomes inflamed, causing extra thyroid hormones stored in the thyroid gland to leak into the bloodstream. In some cases, thyroiditis may be due to an autoimmune disorder.



Depending on the cause of your hyperthyroidism, the treatment options can be different to address the underlying cause.

Medical conditions should never be ignored because they can often lead to more critical complications down the road. 



If you suspect you might have hyperthyroidism, it’s important to see a doctor to test and begin treatment, if necessary. 

Hyperthyroidism can usually be treated and monitored to avoid additional issues. In some cases, continued monitoring is an important part of treatment to avoid complications from possible side effects of some hyperthyroid medications.

Thyroid-stimulating hormone receptors also exist in the cells behind the eyes. An overactive thyroid releasing too many thyroid hormones in the bloodstream can lead to complications with the eyes and vision. 

Thyroid eye disease or Graves' ophthalmopathy is a condition that affects the muscles and other tissues around the eyes. 

Smokers are more likely to be at risk of developing thyroid eye disease that can cause bulging, inflammation, or redness of the eyes.

Other symptoms include the eyes feeling:

• Pressure or pain
• Gritty sensations; or
• Sensitivity to light

Puffy or retracted eyelids and double vision can also indicate thyroid eye disease. 

It’s important to take these symptoms seriously. If left untreated, the swelling in severe cases of thyroid eye disease may compress the optic nerve and cause vision loss.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of thyroid eye disease, the essential first step is to see an endocrinologist to get your overactive thyroid under control. 

Hyperthyroid treatment may not treat thyroid eye disease, but there are treatment options if you have thyroid eye disease. 

Some hyperthyroid treatments like carbimazole or radioactive iodine can harm an unborn baby.

It’s extremely important to consult your doctor immediately if you’re planning a pregnancy or become pregnant while taking carbimazole, or after having radioactive iodine treatment within 6 months. They may recommend switching to a treatment that will not affect your baby.

Your doctor will want to test for an overactive thyroid and monitor the condition to keep it under control.



Untreated hyperthyroidism can increase the risk of:

• Pre-eclampsia
• Miscarriage
• Preterm delivery before the 37th week of pregnancy; and
• Low baby birth weight
  

In some cases, treating an overactive thyroid causes hormone levels to become too low.

Radioactive iodine treatment for hyperthyroidism can lead to hypothyroidism or an underactive thyroid.

Symptoms of an underactive thyroid may include:

• Sensitivity to cold
• Fatigue
• Unexplained or sudden weight gain
• Constipation; and
• Depression

Treatment for hypothyroidism usually involves taking daily hormone replacement tablets and an annual blood test to monitor your hormone levels.

Rarely, undiagnosed hyperthyroidism can lead to a serious event called thyrotoxic crisis or thyroid storm.

This life-threatening condition is a sudden flare-up of hyperthyroidism symptoms that may be triggered by infection, pregnancy, or physical damage to the thyroid gland.

Usually caused by serious physical stress in patients with long-term hyperthyroidism, a thyroid storm can also occur following radioactive iodine therapy or by taking antithyroid medications irregularly.

Experiencing a thyroid storm can cause symptoms including:

• Rapid heartbeat
• High temperature
• Hypertension
• Jaundice
• Shaking
• Severe agitation or confusion; and
• Loss of consciousness



A thyroid storm is a medical emergency and immediate care is critical to avoid heart failure and death.

An out-of-control overactive thyroid can wreak havoc on your body. Other issues attributed to untreated hyperthyroidism include:



• Heart problems like atrial fibrillation cause an irregular and abnormally fast heart rate, increasing the risk of stroke in people with overactive thyroids. A heart rhythm disorder called congestive heart failure prevents the heart from circulating enough blood to meet the body's needs.
• Osteoporosis caused by the excess thyroid hormone which speeds up the rate of bone loss beyond regeneration leads to decreased bone mineral density and increased risk of bone fracture. In most cases, early treatment of hyperthyroidism is enough to help prevent osteoporosis, though postmenopausal women are especially more at risk of developing osteoporosis.
• Skin problems are more common among people with Graves’ disease, Graves’ dermopathy, or pretibial myxedema, is a condition where the skin on the shins and sometimes the tops of the feet becomes discolored, thick, and swollen. Most people with the condition might also develop thyroid eye disease. It can be mild and go away on its own, or in rare cases, be painful and require topical steroids.
  

• Anti-thyroid medication prevents the thyroid gland from making too many hormones and symptoms usually begin to improve within several weeks to months. 
• Beta-blockers are prescribed to ease the symptoms of hyperthyroidism like tremors, rapid heart rate, and heart palpitations. Beta-blockers don't reduce thyroid hormone levels but are often used to reduce symptoms until thyroid hormones are closer to a healthy level.
• Radioactive iodine therapy causes the thyroid gland to shrink after iodine has been absorbed by the gland. Symptoms can subside within several months. This oral medication can cause the thyroid gland to become underactive and trigger hypothyroidism.
• Thyroidectomy is an uncommon surgery that removes part or all of the thyroid gland. It may be recommended for people who are pregnant or can't take anti-thyroid medicine or radioactive iodine therapy. 
• Holistic nutrition is often an important part of treatment if you have been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. Reducing meat consumption and potentially eliminating gluten and lactose has been reported to improve inflammation and diminish thyroiditis symptoms.

Holistic nutrition can be a natural supplement to your hyperthyroidism treatment plan. Dr. Donna Sergi at HealthierU walks you through a tailored, comprehensive nutritional plan to help support your journey to thyroid health. 



Schedule your free consultation today and discover the holistic healing power of nutrition. 

Hyperthyroidism is a serious condition and should be met with immediate care from medical professionals.

Leaving hyperthyroidism untreated can compound the problem and lead to further medical issues.

If you suspect you have an overactive thyroid or have been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, you should begin treatment immediately to avoid serious complications.

It’s critical to diagnose if you have hyperthyroidism and identify the cause. However, the severity and cause of your hyperthyroidism will determine the treatment and if you can expect symptoms to go away or get worse over time. 

Hyperthyroidism caused by Graves’ disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism in the United States and is seven to eight times more common in women than men. Graves’ disease has been known to worsen over time and severely affect your quality of life.

In other cases, hyperthyroidism can be treated and symptoms may subside over time. 

Regardless of the cause, treatment for hyperthyroidism is necessary. 

High levels of thyroid hormones in your body can be toxic. Your doctor may prescribe medication, radiation therapy, or even thyroid surgery.

Certain minerals, vitamins, and nutrients can help balance thyroid function. A low-iodine diet is often prescribed before having radiation therapy to remove excess or damaged thyroid cells.

Balancing out iodine in your diet after treatment is important to help protect your thyroid and reduce the long-term effects of hyperthyroidism.

​​While the right diet won’t cure hyperthyroidism, adjusting your diet to include foods that promote healthy thyroid function can put you back in control of your symptoms while avoiding unnecessary chemicals.

You don’t have to be ruled by your overactive thyroid. Let Dr. Donna Sergi create a customized holistic nutritional treatment plan to ease the symptoms of your hyperthyroidism. 



Schedule a free consultation today. 

Living with an overactive thyroid is hard enough, but if you suspect or know you have hyperthyroidism, beginning a treatment plan with your doctor as soon as possible can keep your body from developing more serious conditions.



Nutrition can be a powerful supplement to your hyperthyroidism treatment plan.

With a comprehensive holistic treatment plan designed especially for you, Dr. Donna Sergi at HealthierU guides you through maximizing your diet to help restore your immune system.

Fueling your body with the right foods and nutrients can help put you on the path to healthy thyroid function and get you back to living life symptom-free.

Schedule your consultation today and learn how HealthierU can revitalize your body and mind.