Which feature is characteristic of hyperthyroidism?

Which feature is characteristic of hyperthyroidism?

• A. Weight gain and cold intolerance
• B. Goiter formation, tachycardia, heat intolerance, weight loss, exophthalmos, and increased appetite
• C. Weight loss with fatigue only
• D. Night sweats and hypoglycemia

Answer: (B)

Excess thyroid hormone speeds up the body's metabolism and heightens sympathetic nervous system activity. That produces a set of signs where weight drops despite appetite rising, heat intolerance with sweating, a faster heart rate, and often a enlarged thyroid (goiter). In Graves’ disease, which is a common cause of hyperthyroidism, the inflammatory changes can also lead to exophthalmos (eye protrusion). This combination of goiter, tachycardia, heat intolerance, weight loss with increased appetite, and exophthalmos fits the pattern of hyperthyroidism best. The other descriptions don’t align with this condition: weight gain with cold intolerance points to hypothyroidism, not hyperthyroidism; weight loss with fatigue alone misses the other hallmark features like tachycardia, heat intolerance, and eye changes; and night sweats with hypoglycemia aren’t typical features of an overactive thyroid.

Excess thyroid hormone speeds up the body's metabolism and heightens sympathetic nervous system activity. That produces a set of signs where weight drops despite appetite rising, heat intolerance with sweating, a faster heart rate, and often a enlarged thyroid (goiter). In Graves’ disease, which is a common cause of hyperthyroidism, the inflammatory changes can also lead to exophthalmos (eye protrusion). This combination of goiter, tachycardia, heat intolerance, weight loss with increased appetite, and exophthalmos fits the pattern of hyperthyroidism best.

The other descriptions don’t align with this condition: weight gain with cold intolerance points to hypothyroidism, not hyperthyroidism; weight loss with fatigue alone misses the other hallmark features like tachycardia, heat intolerance, and eye changes; and night sweats with hypoglycemia aren’t typical features of an overactive thyroid.