Hyperthyroidism has been linked to an increased risk of seizures. It may increase risk by creating excitability in your brain that lowers the threshold needed for one to occur.
Hyperthyroidism is when your thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone. The overproduction of thyroid hormone can lead to many different symptoms, such as:
- unintentional weight loss
- rapid heartbeat
- anxiety and nervousness
Seizures are uncontrolled bursts of electrical activity in your brain that can cause changes to your consciousness and behavior.
It’s thought that hyperthyroidism might make you more prone to seizures by increasing the excitability in your brain. Seizures can also develop due to a serious complication of hyperthyroidism called a thyroid storm.
In reverse, some anti-seizure medications may lead to the over- or underproduction of thyroid hormone.
Read on to learn more about the connection between hyperthyroidism and seizures.
Excessive thyroid hormone circulating through your bloodstream is called thyrotoxicosis. Thyrotoxicosis has been
The results of
Hyperthyroidism and epilepsy
Epilepsy is when you develop recurrent seizures without a provoking cause like a high fever or drug. Some research suggests that people with hyperthyroidism might be more susceptible to developing epilepsy.
In a 2024
People with hyperthyroidism had a 1.99 increased risk of all epilepsy compared to people without hyperthyroidism.
Thyroid storm and seizures
A thyroid storm, or thyrotoxic crisis, is a potentially life threatening complication of untreated or undertreated hyperthyroidism. It develops when your thyroid hormone levels become dangerously high. It’s a serious condition that can cause mortality rates as high as
Seizures are a potential complication of a thyroid storm. Other symptoms can include:
- rapid heart rate
- irritability
- delirium
- confusion
- agitation
- shaking
- high fever
- unconsciousness
- coma
Many different types of seizures have been reported in people with hyperthyroidism. Seizures may be classified as:
- focal onset if they occur in half or part of your brain
- generalized onset if they occur in your whole brain
- aware if you remain conscious during your seizure
- impaired awareness if you lose consciousness
Febrile seizures
Certain anti-epileptic drugs may affect the function of your thyroid gland and make you more prone to thyroid problems.
In a 2022
Having a seizure may potentially lead to changes in thyroid levels by
The hypothalamus produces a hormone called thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH). This hormone then stimulates the release of thyroid-stimulating hormone from your anterior pituitary gland. Some
Untreated hyperthyroidism can cause serious
- an irregular heart rate that increases your risk of heart problems like:
- an eye disease called Graves’ ophthalmopathy
- osteoporosis
- muscle problems
- fertility problems
- irregular or loss of menstrual cycle
Hyperthyroidism has been linked to many different neurological complications, such as:
movement disorders - tremors
- atypical involuntary muscle movements
- emotional and cognitive impairment
- psychiatric disorders
- headaches
- sleep disorders
- nerve damage
Not all seizures require emergency medical care. The
- a seizure lasting longer than 5 minutes
- another seizure shortly after their first
- a first seizure
- a seizure in water
- an injury during a seizure
- trouble breathing or waking up after the seizure
- diabetes and loss of consciousness
It’s also important to visit your doctor if you suspect you may have a problem with your thyroid hormone levels. Hyperthyroidism is often treatable. Without treatment, you’re at risk of continuing to have symptoms that affect your quality of life. You’re also at risk of developing a potentially life threatening condition called thyroid storm.
Hyperthyroidism has been linked to an increased risk of seizures. Additionally, seizures are also associated with a complication of hyperthyroidism called a thyroid storm. This complication can be life threatening and cause coma or death. In reverse, some anti-epileptic medications may make you more prone to developing thyroid problems.