**Symptoms** * feel nervous * have tremors * feel short of breath * get tired easily * experience muscle weakness **Risk factors** * Being a biological female and being over 60 years old * Having a pre-existing health condition such as pernicious anemia, type 2 diabetes, or primary adrenal insufficiency * Eating a diet rich in iodine, such as kelp * Taking medication that contain iodine * Using nicotine, such as smoking or vaping * Being pregnant within the previous 6 months **Treatment options** * Medication (beta-blockers and antithyroid medication) + Beta-blockers: reduce symptoms, but do not affect thyroid hormone production + Antithyroid medication: reduces thyroid hormone production and may temporarily reduce Graves’ disease symptoms + Side effects: rash, itching, reduced white blood cells, liver failure (rarely) * Radioiodine therapy: slowly kills off thyroid hormone-producing cells, does not affect other tissues * Thyroid surgery: removes part of the thyroid gland, may lead to hypothyroidism **When to contact a doctor** * Experiencing symptoms such as palpitations, diarrhea, and excessive sweating * Side effects from taking thyroid medication (e.g. tiredness, weakness, abdominal pain) **Summary** Hyperthyroidism causes the thyroid gland to produce too much thyroid hormone, speeding up essential body functions. It may increase cardiovascular issues and require treatment with medications, radioiodine therapy, or surgery.