Hyperthyroidism treatment, diagnosis & prescriptions

Maple is a virtual care platform that connects you with doctors and other healthcare providers via text, audio, or video. After you log in to your Maple account, you can request an online consultation.

Consultations work similarly to in-person appointments — the doctor can complete an assessment by asking questions about your symptoms, going through your health history, and determining what treatment is right for you. If they think your condition is more serious, they may tell you to go to a clinic for an in-person examination.

As a Maple member, you get 24/7 access to virtual primary care online and more. You can connect with our network of providers via text, audio, or video call within minutes.

Our membership costs $79.99/month and covers virtual care for patients and their families, including the primary account holder's spouse and any dependents.

For patients in eligible provinces, our membership includes:

• Access to daily primary care provider visits: One daily visit with a primary care provider for each family member in their household.
• Paediatric care: Covered paediatric primary care visits, available by appointment.
• Second medical opinions: access to a network of experts for a second opinion if diagnosed with a complex condition (e.g. cancer).
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• Credit discounts: An $80 credit per month to be applied to a Maple specialist visit.

Please note that our membership cannot be combined with other offerings, such as private insurance coverage and provincial programs, where available. In some cases, membership fees can be covered by a Healthcare Spending Account (HSA) — check with your HSA provider for more details.

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Regulators across Canada support and recognize the value of services like ours, and the way in which they can benefit patients, physicians, and Canada’s broader healthcare system by improving access to care and increasing efficiencies in the delivery of care.

Yes. In most cases, a doctor on Maple can diagnose hyperthyroidism online by asking about your symptoms, observing your condition, and ordering lab tests. If the doctor suspects you have a more serious problem, they may suggest for you to go to a clinic for a thorough physical examination.

Hyperthyroidism (otherwise known as overactive thyroid) occurs when your thyroid produces too much of the hormone thyroxine. This can cause many adverse effects, such as accelerating your metabolism, causing unintentional weight loss, and a rapid or irregular heartbeat. There are also causes of hyperthyroidism, such as Graves’ disease, which your doctor will manage with more targeted treatment.

Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include:

• Unintentional weight loss, despite how much you eat
• Rapid heartbeat
• Irregular heartbeat
• Increased appetite
• Nervousness, anxiety, and irritability
• Tremor in hands or fingers
• Sweating
• Changes in menstruation
• Increased sensitivity to heat
• Increased bowel movements
• Enlarged thyroid (goiter)
• Fatigue and/or muscle weakness
• Difficulty sleeping
• Thinning skin, fine or brittle hair
• Bulging eyes, excessive tearing, red or swollen eyes (in Graves’ ophthalmopathy)

Hyperthyroidism is very treatable. There are several treatments, and your doctor will choose the best one for you based on your particular case and health. Treatments include:

• Radioactive iodine, taken orally
• Anti-thyroid medications, such as methimazole (Tapazole)
• Beta blockers
• Surgery to remove the thyroid