Does a thick neck mean hyperthyroidism?

A thick neck troubles many people. However, we should not think too simply about the problem of a thick neck. It is very likely that the neck is pathologically thick. Clinically, many diseases may cause thick neck, among which thyroid disease causes particularly obvious symptoms of thick neck. Hyperthyroidism is also a type of thyroid disease. So is thick neck caused by hyperthyroidism?

1. Goiter is not necessarily caused by hyperthyroidism

A big neck is one of the obvious characteristics of hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism is caused by excessive secretion of thyroid hormone, which promotes the development of the thyroid gland. However, patients with hyperthyroidism have disordered thyroid hormone metabolism, which increases the secretion of thyroid hormone, thereby promoting increased secretion of thyroid hormone. The thyroid gland will become enlarged, which means you have a big neck.

2. A thick neck and hyperthyroidism are two different things

Hyperthyroidism patients do not necessarily have enlarged thyroid glands. Hyperthyroidism is the abbreviation of hyperthyroidism, which is a group of common endocrine diseases caused by excessive secretion of thyroid hormones due to various reasons. The main clinical manifestations are hypermetabolic syndrome such as polyphagia, weight loss, fear of heat, sweating, palpitations, excitement, etc., increased nerve and vascular excitement, and varying degrees of thyroid enlargement and eye proptosis, hand tremor, tibial vascular murmurs, etc. Severe cases may lead to hyperthyroidism crisis, coma, and even life-threatening.

3. Other reasons

A common cause of a thick neck is an enlarged thyroid gland. Tumors, enlarged lymph nodes, and obesity can also cause a thick neck. A thick neck caused by an enlarged thyroid gland is not necessarily due to hyperthyroidism. It is only considered hyperthyroidism if it is accompanied by an increase in T3 and T4. If not, it is not hyperthyroidism. It is recommended that you go to the hospital for symptomatic treatment.