Fatigue
Some people find that they don’t have the energy to go all day without taking a nap. Still others find that they can’t sleep well at night, so they are exhausted during the day. Consistent feelings of tiredness are often diagnosed as symptoms of chronic fatigue, which may also be a symptom of a thyroid disorder.
Irregular Heart Beat
As mentioned, thyroid hormones affect a number of vital organs. When thyroid hormone levels are too low, this may cause the heart to beat too slow. When hormonal levels are elevated, heart rate may become uncharacteristically fast. As a result, one’s blood pressure levels often become erratic.
Swelling of the Neck
This is one particular sign that demands immediate attention, as it may be the result of thyroid cancer or nodules, small lumps that grow within the thyroid. Of course, other conditions exist that may be responsible for swelling of the neck.
Gaining or Losing Weight
If you have tried strict diets and rigorous exercise programs but still gain weight, you could have a thyroid problem. When your thyroid produces more hormones than the body needs, you can lose your appetite, and even if you try to eat more, you can still lose weight.
Dry Skin
When hormone levels are low, your skin will become dry and pale in color. Hypothyroidism causes edema, scaly looking skin, wrinkled skin, and very little sweating. An over-active thyroid can cause skin to become itchy, sweaty, red, and sometimes very warm to the touch, although there is no fever.
Loss of Hair
An unexplained loss of hair, including eyebrows and other body parts, is often associated with thyroid issues. Your hair might become thin, brittle or dry. Your scalp might become dry or itchy.
Depression
Surprisingly, depression may be one sign of a thyroid disorder. The reason is that hypothyroidism can impact levels of the brain’s “feel good” chemical, serotonin. Also, low levels of thyroid hormone can trigger other areas of the body to decrease activity, which may have an indirect impact on overall mood.
Anxiety or Jitteriness
This is one sign that may be due to hyperthyroidism – when the thyroid gland is producing an excessive level of hormones. When this occurs, our metabolism and other parts of the body may become hyperactive, creating feelings of anxiety or general “jitteriness”.
Brain Fog
When thyroid functionality diminishes, cognitive ability often does as well. Hyperthyroidism often makes it difficult to concentrate, while hypothyroidism may create lapses in memory and decreased awareness.
Menstrual Problems
Thyroid dysfunction can cause delayed or early puberty or menstruation. In fact, any change in your menstrual cycle or if your periods become irregular, this could be a sign of a thyroid issue.
Hypothyroidism often causes prolonged, painful, and more frequent periods. Hyperthyroidism leads to the opposite, of course. Many infertility problems are also linked to thyroid problems.
Irregular Digestion
Thyroid hormones can change your bowel habits, interrupting your body’s ability to both digest food and remove waste. If you have problems such as constipation, diarrhea, excessive gas, and bloating and your gastroenterologist has not been able to pinpoint a problem, talk to them about a possible thyroid malfunction.
References:
15 Signs You Are Having Thyroid Problems (#9 is Really Surprising!)
