While hyperthyroidism is a morbid condition due to the exalted secretory activity of the thyroid, thyrotoxicosis is the clinical picture that occurs in response to the exposure of the tissues to excess thyroid hormones.
Exophthalmos (bulging eyes) can be a symptom of thyrotoxicosis associated with Graves' disease. From the site: http://body-disease.com/
Although they seem closely related, thyrotoxicosis and hyperthyroidism are not always associated conditions; tissue alterations may in fact depend on the production of thyroid hormones by other tissues, such as the ovaries, on the wrong intake of thyroid hormones (also for slimming purposes) or on an increased hormonal release from damaged thyroid cells (see thyroiditis). all these cases have thyrotoxicosis without hyperthyroidism.
- THYREOTOXICOSIS: Clinical syndrome of excess of circulating thyroid hormones
- HYPERTIROIDISM: Excess of thyroid hormones due to thyroid hyperfunction
The toxic action of iodothyronines at the tissue level determines the typical symptoms of thyrotoxicosis: excessive weight loss (with normal or more often increased appetite), tachycardia, sweating, heat intolerance, tremors, anxiety, diarrhea, insomnia, thin, sweaty, hot skin and often red, brittle nails and hair, thyrotoxicosis is frequently accompanied by "increased hair loss.
