Signs of Thyroid Problems
Your thyroid is a gland that releases hormones into your body that regulates your metabolism. Thyroid problems occur when the thyroid either secretes too much or not enough hormones. When this happens, it’s called thyroid disease. This disease comes in two main varieties, hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, with several sub-variants. While anyone can get this disease, you have a higher risk if any of the following apply to you:
- family history of thyroid disease
- have certain medical conditions, including:
- Pernicious anemia
- Type 1 diabetes
- Primary adrenal insufficiency
- Lupus
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Sjögren’s syndrome
- Turner syndrome
- take any medication that’s high in iodine
- are older than 60
- are female
- have been treated for cancer
The signs demonstrated and symptoms experienced with this disease generally depend on if the thyroid is secreting too many hormones or not enough.
Signs and symptoms of too much hormone secretion, or hyperthyroidism, are:
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Nervousness
- Insomnia
- Weight loss
- Enlarged thyroid or goiter
- Muscle weakness
- Muscle tremors
- Irregular menstruation
- Sensitivity to hot temperatures
- Vision problems or eye irritation
Signs and symptoms of not enough hormone secretion, or hypothyroidism, are:
- Fatigue
- Weight gain
- Forgetfulness
- Heavy menstrual flow
- Frequent menstruation
- Dry, coarse hair
- Hair loss
- Voice hoarseness
- Sensitivity to cold temperatures
Regardless of if you are experiencing symptoms of hyper- or hypothyroidism, talk to your doctor as soon as possible about a treatment plan. Lifestyle changes along with medication will likely be prescribed to best control the malfunction. In severe cases, surgery along with lifetime medication may be warranted.
Problems are usually diagnosed using a combination of a physical exam, imaging tests, and blood tests. No matter what these exams and tests show, living a normal, healthy life with thyroid disease is possible and done every day by millions of people worldwide. Early diagnosis is key to having the best outcome possible, so if you have any concerns about your health, schedule an appointment with your physician today!