---
title: What Is Hypothyroidism?
description: Review your symptoms with your doctor to help you know if you have a thyroid problem. Use blood tests to check the levels of thyroid hormones in your body.
---

[Direct Primary Care](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog)

# [What Is Hypothyroidism?](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/what-is-hypothyroidism)

 Written by [Total Access Medical](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/author/total-access-medical) | Jan 22, 2026

In hyperthyroidism, your thyroid gland is overactive. It produces too much thyroid hormone. This can cause many of your body’s functions to speed up. 

Hyperthyroidism affects between [1 and 3 percent](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5014602/) of people in the United States and is more common in women.

Graves’ disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism, affecting about [70 percent](https://www.thyroid.org/hyperthyroidism) of people with an overactive thyroid. Nodules on your thyroid — a condition called toxic nodular goiter or multinodular goiter — can also cause the gland to overproduce its hormones.

Hyperthyroidism can also be caused by:

- thyroid gland inflammation
- too much iodine intake
- taking too much thyroid hormone medication
- overactive thyroid nodules, also known as toxic nodular goiter or multinodular goiter
- noncancerous pituitary gland tumor 

#### Hyperthyroidism symptoms

Excessive thyroid hormone production may lead to symptoms that can include:

- restlessness
- nervousness
- racing heart rate
- irritability
- increased sweating
- shaking
- anxiety
- trouble sleeping
- thin skin 
- brittle hair and nails
- muscle weakness
- weight loss
- increased appetite
- frequent bowel movements
- bulging eyes (in Graves’ disease)

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