How Common is Hyperthyroidism?
Hyperthyroidism is present in one of every 2,000 adults. Hyperthyroidism can occur in individuals of any age—from newborn children to the very elderly—but the condition most commonly develops between adolescence and 60 years of age. For unknown reasons, hyperthyroidism is more common in women. During their lifetimes, 3 of every 100 women, and 3 of 1000 men will be afflicted with the most common cause of hyperthyroidism, Graves’ disease. 3. What Goes Wrong with the Thyroid Gland and Its Hormones in Hyperthyroidism? The thyroid gland, a butterfly shaped organ located in the lower front of the neck, normally makes precisely the right amount of its hormones, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), under the exacting control of the pituitary gland, which is an extension of the brain. Specialized pituitary cells make thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), which travels in the blood to the thyroid gland, where TSH binds to its own receptors on thyroid cells, prompting them to grow and produce m
