What are the characteristic symptoms of hyperthyroidism and its immediate symptomatic treatment?

• A. Weight gain, cold intolerance; insulin.
• B. Jaundice and fatigue; diuretics.
• C. Hypotension and bradycardia; levothyroxine.
• D. Weight loss, heat intolerance, anxiety, palpitations; a beta-blocker such as propranolol to control heart rate and tremor.

Answer: (D)

Hyperthyroidism speeds up metabolism and heightens sympathetic activity, so you see weight loss with heat intolerance, anxiety or irritability, and palpitations with tremor. For immediate symptomatic relief, a nonselective beta-blocker like propranolol is used to quickly blunt heart rate and tremor and ease anxiety. It’s helpful while definitive thyroid-directed treatments (antithyroid meds, radioactive iodine, or surgery) take effect. Other patterns—weight gain with cold intolerance, jaundice with fatigue, or hypotension with bradycardia—fit hypothyroidism or other conditions, and giving levothyroxine would worsen the hyperthyroid picture.