What Are Some Risk Factors for Hyperthyroidism?
Hyperthyroidism is when a person's thyroid makes an excess of thyroid hormones relative to the body's needs. It can be caused by a number of different conditions or situations
(see Hyperthyroidism Causes).
There are also factors that can increase a person's chances for developing hyperthyroidism. These are known as hyperthyroidism risk factors.
One risk factor is being a woman. Women are 5 to 10 times more likely than men to develop hyperthyroidism. Other people at risk for an
overactive thyroid include those with:
Risk factors also include those people:
- Who eat large amounts of food containing iodine, such as kelp, or use iodine-containing medications, such as amiodarone, a heart medication
- Are older than 60 years of age
- Who have been pregnant or delivered a baby within the past six months
- Who smoke.
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