What symptom does a patient with hyperthyroidism typically present with?

In hyperthyroidism, the overproduction of thyroid hormone leads to an accelerated metabolism, which typically results in weight loss even in the presence of an increased appetite. This occurs because the body's metabolic processes are speeding up; the individual is burning calories faster than they can be consumed. As a result, patients often report feeling hungrier and eating more while still losing weight, which is a hallmark symptom of hyperthyroidism.

In contrast, weight gain despite decreased appetite would not align with the physiological changes caused by hyperthyroidism. Severe fatigue and lethargy are more commonly associated with hypothyroidism, where decreased hormone levels lead to a slowed metabolism. Cold intolerance is also characteristic of hypothyroidism; patients with hyperthyroidism usually experience heat intolerance due to their elevated metabolic state.