Anxiety, heart palpitations, or unexplained weight loss

Anxiety, heart palpitations, and unexplained weight loss are hallmark symptoms of hyperthyroidism or thyroiditis - conditions where excess thyroid hormone pushes the body's metabolism into an unsustainably fast state. At Renew Health & Wellness, Dr. Jennifer Redmond, CNP, DNP evaluates these symptoms with a comprehensive thyroid and cardiovascular assessment. The goal is to confirm the diagnosis, identify the specific underlying cause, and build an appropriate treatment plan.

A complete thyroid panel is used to get a full picture of what is happening. Testing includes:

• TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone)

• Free T3 and Free T4

• Thyroid antibodies, including TSH receptor antibodies to screen for Graves' disease

• Thyroid ultrasound, when appropriate, to evaluate the structure of the thyroid gland

This thorough approach ensures nothing is missed and the root cause is properly identified.

The anxiety caused by excess thyroid hormone is not the same as generalized anxiety disorder. It has a specific physical cause - excess T3 directly stimulates the cardiovascular and nervous systems in a way that mimics anxiety. Recognizing this distinction is critical. Without it, patients may be incorrectly treated with psychiatric medications when the real issue is a thyroid problem. Proper diagnosis leads to proper treatment.

Heart palpitations and a rapid heart rate - known as tachycardia - are common with hyperthyroidism and require careful attention. Both thyroid management and cardiovascular monitoring are needed to keep patients safe during treatment. Treatment is individualized based on the underlying cause, which may include:

• Graves' disease (an autoimmune condition)

• Toxic nodular goiter

• Transient thyroiditis

Treatment options are tailored to each patient and may include:

1. Antithyroid medications to reduce thyroid hormone production

2. Beta-blockers for short-term symptom relief, such as slowing the heart rate

3. Coordination with endocrinology for radioiodine therapy or surgical evaluation in more complex cases

Nutritional support is also incorporated to protect bone density and muscle mass, both of which are at risk during periods of excess thyroid hormone.

Stress management plays a meaningful role in treatment as well. Stress is a known contributor to immune dysregulation - which is particularly relevant in autoimmune thyroid conditions like Graves' disease.

At Renew Health & Wellness, unexplained anxiety and palpitations are taken seriously. If excess thyroid hormone is the cause, we have the expertise to identify it and treat it effectively.