Hyperthyroidism in Females: Symptoms, Thyroid Gland Function, Hormones, Treatment & Top 5 Foods to Support Thyroid Health

Hyperthyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland becomes overactive and produces more hormones than the body needs. This condition affects more women than men and can impact everything from your energy levels to your menstrual cycle. 

What is Hyperthyroidism?

Hyperthyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland becomes overactive and produces too much thyroid hormone. The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the front of your neck, just below the Adam's apple. Despite its small size, it plays a powerful role in controlling how your body uses energy.

In hyperthyroidism, the excessive hormones speed up many of your body's functions. This includes metabolism (how your body burns calories), heart rate, and even how your brain and muscles function. As a result, people with hyperthyroidism often experience symptoms like rapid heartbeat, weight loss, anxiety, increased sweating, and nervousness — even when they’re resting or eating normally.

The condition can occur at any age, but it is more common in women, especially between the ages of 20 and 40. One of the most common causes is Graves' disease, an autoimmune disorder where the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid, causing it to produce too much hormone.

Although hyperthyroidism can be serious if left untreated, it is manageable with proper medical care, lifestyle changes, and in some cases, long-term treatments such as medications or surgery.

What is the Thyroid Gland?

The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located in the front of your neck. Its main job is to release hormones that regulate your metabolism — the process by which your body turns food into energy. A well-functioning thyroid keeps your body balanced and your energy levels stable.

• The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of your neck, in front of your windpipe (trachea).
• It’s part of the endocrine system and plays a critical role in regulating your body’s metabolism, which means how your body uses energy from food.
• It produces two key hormones: T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine).

What Happens in Hyperthyroidism?

In a healthy body, the thyroid gland carefully produces and releases the right amounts of two hormones — T3 (Triiodothyronine) and T4 (Thyroxine). These hormones control your metabolism, heart rate, digestion, and even how warm or cold you feel. Think of them as your body's "speed controllers."

But in hyperthyroidism, the thyroid becomes overactive and starts making too much T3 and T4. This causes your body’s systems to run faster than normal, like an engine stuck on high speed.

As a result, you might experience:

• Rapid heartbeat
• Unexplained weight loss
• Nervousness or anxiety
• Increased sweating
• Heat sensitivity
• Irregular menstrual cycles (in females)
• Fatigue due to the body burning out

This hormonal imbalance doesn’t just affect metabolism — it impacts your mood, sleep, digestion, and even fertility. If left untreated, hyperthyroidism can lead to serious complications, especially for women. That’s why early diagnosis, supported by a good health insurance plan, is essential for long-term well-being.

Top 5 Foods to Support Thyroid Health

Though food alone cannot cure hyperthyroidism, certain foods can help manage symptoms and support the overall function of the thyroid gland. Here are the top 5:

1. Cruciferous Vegetables (like broccoli, cauliflower, kale, cabbage): These vegetables may help reduce the amount of thyroid hormone your thyroid gland produces. They are rich in antioxidants and fiber, supporting digestion and detoxification.
2. Berries: Blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries are loaded with antioxidants that reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the body, which is especially helpful for autoimmune-related thyroid issues like Graves’ disease.
3. Salmon: Rich in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D, salmon can help support the immune system and reduce inflammation.
4. Brazil Nuts: Just one or two of these per day can provide your daily selenium needs. Selenium is essential for converting T4 into active T3 and protecting the thyroid from damage.
5. Whole Grains: Foods like oats, brown rice, and quinoa provide energy and fiber, which can help with fatigue and digestive issues associated with thyroid imbalances.

These foods complement medical treatment, but they should always be part of a broader care plan guided by a doctor and covered by the best health insurance available.

Thyroid Gland Hormones

These hormones are crucial because they control the speed of every function in the body—from how fast your heart beats to how quickly you digest food and even how warm or cold you feel. T3 is the active form, and T4 is mostly converted into T3 in the tissues. These hormones also play a major role in menstrual regularity, fertility, and mood balance in females.

When these hormones are produced in excess, as in hyperthyroidism, your body can become overstimulated. This causes symptoms like irritability, anxiety, heat intolerance, and heart palpitations. Maintaining a healthy thyroid hormone balance is vital, and this often requires a combination of diet, medication, and lifestyle changes. A solid health insurance plan should ideally cover hormonal blood tests, specialist consultations, and ongoing care for effective thyroid management.

The main hormones produced by the thyroid are:

1. T3 (Triiodothyronine)

T3, or Triiodothyronine, is one of the two main hormones produced by the thyroid gland. It contains three iodine atoms, which is where it gets its name. Although T3 is produced in smaller amounts than T4, it is much more active and powerful in its effects on the body. T3 controls how your body uses energy. It affects almost every physiological process, including:

• Metabolism (how your body burns calories)
• Heart rate and body temperature
• Brain development and mental health
• Muscle strength and digestion

Most of the T3 in your body is actually made from T4. The liver and other tissues convert T4 into T3, making T4 a kind of "reserve" hormone. When T3 levels are too high, as in hyperthyroidism, your body speeds up — causing symptoms like weight loss, rapid heartbeat, anxiety, and heat sensitivity.

These hormones help regulate body temperature, heart rate, and how fast your body uses calories. When the thyroid makes too much T3 and T4, hyperthyroidism can occur.

2. T4 (Thyroxine)

T4, or Thyroxine, is the primary hormone made by the thyroid gland. It contains four iodine atoms, and although it is produced in greater amounts than T3, it is less active. Its main role is to serve as a storage hormone that circulates in the blood and is later converted into the more active T3 when the body needs it.

• T4 helps regulate important functions like:
• Metabolic rate (how fast your body works)
• Growth and development
• Body temperature
• Heart function

Doctors often measure both free T4 and free T3 levels in blood tests to diagnose thyroid conditions. In hyperthyroidism, T4 levels are usually elevated, signaling that the thyroid gland is producing too much hormone.

Together, T3 and T4 are essential for your overall health and hormonal balance. Their production is controlled by the pituitary gland in your brain, which sends a hormone called TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) to tell your thyroid how much to produce. When this balance is disrupted, it can lead to thyroid disorders such as hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.

Why Does the Body Speed Up?

Thyroid hormones affect nearly every cell in your body. When there’s too much T3 and T4, the following changes happen:

• Your heart beats faster and harder, even when you’re resting.
• Your metabolism speeds up, leading to weight loss and increased appetite.
• The nervous system becomes overactive, making you feel anxious, shaky, or restless.
• Your body produces more heat, which causes excessive sweating or heat intolerance.
• Muscles break down quicker, making you feel weak or tired.

In short, the excess hormones act like a "go" signal for your body — but they never turn off

Common Causes of Hyperthyroidism

There are several reasons why the thyroid gland might start producing too many hormones. The most common causes include:

1. Graves' Disease (Autoimmune Hyperthyroidism)

• The most common cause, especially in women.
• The immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid, causing it to grow larger and produce more hormones.
• Often results in bulging eyes (a symptom called exophthalmos).

2. Thyroid Nodules (Toxic Nodular Goiter)

• Small, non-cancerous lumps in the thyroid that can become overactive and make extra hormones.
• More common in older adults.

3. Thyroiditis

• Inflammation of the thyroid gland that may release stored hormones into the bloodstream.
• Can be triggered by infections, autoimmune conditions, or after childbirth (postpartum thyroiditis).

4. Excess Iodine

• Iodine is needed to make thyroid hormones, but too much (from diet, supplements, or contrast dyes in scans) can trigger overproduction.

5. Overmedication

• People taking thyroid hormone medication (e.g., for hypothyroidism) may accidentally take too much, causing hormone levels to spike.

Hyperthyroidism Treatment

Treating hyperthyroidism depends on the cause and severity of the condition, as well as the patient’s age and general health. There are four main types of treatment:

• Medications: Anti-thyroid drugs like methimazole reduce the thyroid’s hormone production. These are often the first line of treatment and work well in many cases.
• Radioactive Iodine Therapy: This involves swallowing a small dose of radioactive iodine, which destroys overactive thyroid cells over time.
• Surgery: Thyroidectomy (removal of part or all of the thyroid gland) is recommended in some cases, especially if nodules are present or if the patient cannot tolerate other treatments.
• Beta-Blockers: These are used to control symptoms like fast heart rate, even though they don’t directly affect hormone levels.

Because treatment may be long-term, having a health insurance plan that covers endocrinology visits, lab work, and medication is crucial. Women may benefit from an individual insurance plan for females that includes specialized hormone care and regular monitoring.