Why do patients with hyperthyroidism experience increased appetite?

Hyperthyroidism usually refers to hyperthyroidism. Generally, patients with hyperthyroidism often experience increased appetite, mainly caused by elevated thyroid hormone levels, a hypermetabolic state, emotional fluctuations, enhanced gastrointestinal function, insulin resistance, and other factors. If discomfort symptoms occur, it is recommended to seek timely treatment at a regular hospital. The specific analysis is as follows:

1. Elevated Thyroid Hormone Levels

Hyperthyroidism causes excessive secretion of thyroid hormones. These hormones enhance the activity of various metabolic enzymes in the body, accelerate metabolic processes, increase the body's energy demands, and thereby trigger increased appetite. Patients should take medications such as methimazole tablets, propylthiouracil tablets, or carbimazole tablets under medical guidance to inhibit thyroid hormone synthesis and regularly monitor hormone levels.

2. Hypermetabolic State

Excess thyroid hormones place the body in a hypermetabolic state, speeding up energy consumption and enhancing the breakdown of substances such as fats and proteins, making the body prone to hunger and thus increasing appetite. A nutritionally balanced diet should be maintained, with appropriate increases in carbohydrate- and protein-rich foods such as rice, eggs, and lean meats to replenish consumed energy, but overeating should be avoided.

3. Emotional Fluctuations

Hyperthyroidism may affect the nervous system, causing emotional excitability and anxiety. These emotional fluctuations can indirectly stimulate the appetite center, increasing appetite. Unpleasant emotions can be relieved through listening to music, communicating with others, and other methods. Psychological counseling should be sought when necessary to maintain emotional stability and reduce excessive effects on appetite.

4. Enhanced Gastrointestinal Function

Excess thyroid hormones accelerate gastrointestinal motility, speeding up food digestion and emptying in the gastrointestinal tract, making patients feel hungry shortly after eating and thus increasing appetite. It is important to develop the habit of chewing food slowly and avoid eating too quickly. Easily digestible foods such as porridge, noodles, and vegetable puree should be chosen to reduce the burden on the gastrointestinal tract.

5. Insulin Resistance

Hyperthyroidism may cause insulin resistance, reducing the body's sensitivity to insulin and leading to impaired glucose utilization. To obtain energy, the body increases appetite to consume more food. Under medical guidance, medications such as metformin hydrochloride tablets, rosiglitazone tablets, or pioglitazone capsules can be used to improve insulin resistance, while monitoring blood glucose changes is also important.

In daily life, regular meals should be maintained, avoiding overeating; appropriate exercise such as walking or jogging should be practiced to enhance physical fitness; regular thyroid function check-ups should be conducted, and treatment plans adjusted according to examination results.