By Peter Rodrick

Thyroid is an important gland that is situated in the middle of the front side of the neck. Thyroid gland secretes some of the important hormones, known as thyroid hormones, that play important role in metabolism of the body. Metabolism is the process through which, the body utilizes the food to get energy. In a case of hyperthyroidism the thyroid gland produces more thyroid hormones than required by the body result of which, the body gets accelerated metabolism. There are many causes of hyperthyroidism

Causes of Hyperthyroidism

The body recognizes the thyroid antigens as foreign, and a chronic immune reaction ensues, resulting in lymphocytic infiltration of the gland and progressive destruction of functional thyroid tissue.

Drugs such as amiodarone, interferon alpha, thalidomide, and stavudine have also been associated with primary hypothyroidism.

One such medication is lithium, which is used to treat certain psychiatric disorders. If you're taking medication, ask your doctor about its effect on your thyroid gland.

Hashimoto's Thyroiditis- Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, a malfunction of the immune system that causes the body to turn against healthy thyroid cells, is the most common hypothyroidism cause. This autoimmune condition causes loss of thyroid cells due to repeated inflammation from the immune response. Eventually, enough cells are lost to cause the thyroid gland to become ineffective, and it no longer produces sufficient amounts of thyroid hormones.