8 Signs You May Have a Thyroid Condition

An estimated 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disorder. Doctors can do various tests to diagnose thyroid diseases, yet up to 6 out of 10 people with a thyroid issue don’t know they have a problem. Thyroid problems are up to 8 times more common in women than men. Two of the main types of thyroid disease are related to abnormal thyroid hormone levels. Please continue reading to learn some of the signs and symptoms of thyroid hormone imbalance. Being aware of these symptoms can help you seek medical care in a timely manner.

How to tell if you have a thyroid problem?

The thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck. Although small in size, the thyroid gland is responsible for producing hormones that influence practically all body tissues and every organ in the human body. The two main thyroid hormones are triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). Together, T3 and T4 play a critical role in controlling energy levels, temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, body weight, hair, skin, menstruation, and more. As a result, any abnormality in hormone production by the thyroid gland can lead to severe and frustrating symptoms in various parts of the body.

There are two common thyroid problems: an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism) and an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism). Doctors can diagnose thyroid disorders by measuring the levels of a hormone called thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in the blood. TSH is produced by the pituitary gland in the brain. It controls the production of T3 and T4 by the thyroid gland.

If your blood test shows a high thyroid-stimulating hormone, it could mean that your thyroid gland isn’t making enough hormones.

If your thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels are low, it could mean that your thyroid is making too much thyroid hormone.

If the TSH result indicates thyroid problems, doctors can order T3 and T4 levels as well as other tests to identify what thyroid disorder may be present.

What are the symptoms of hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)?

Underactive thyroid (also called hypothyroidism) is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones. There may be no symptoms of hypothyroidism in the early stages. However, over time (usually years), hypothyroidism can cause symptoms. Common symptoms include:

Fatigue
Weight gain
Cold sensitivity
Dry skin
Thin hair
Constipation
Puffy face
Hoarse voice
Muscle aches, stiffness, weakness
Joint pain and stiffness
Slowed heart rate
High blood pressure
High blood cholesterol
Heavy or irregular menstrual periods
Memory problems, difficulty concentrating
Depression
Enlarged thyroid gland (goiter)

As you can see, many of the symptoms of hypothyroidism are nonspecific. They can be put down to age or mimic other health problems. That’s why it’s important to talk to your primary care physician if you have these symptoms. Your doctor can diagnose thyroid problems with various tests. If you have hypothyroidism, they can treat the underlying cause to stimulate proper thyroid hormone production. They can also supplement you with synthetic thyroid hormone (hormone replacement therapy).

What are the symptoms of overactive thyroid?

Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) is a thyroid disorder where the thyroid gland produces hormones in excess. Hyperthyroidism can be difficult to diagnose because it does not cause specific symptoms. Some of the common symptoms of an overactive thyroid include:

Unexplained weight loss
Fatigue
Muscle weakness
Rapid, irregular, or pounding heartbeat (arrhythmia or heart palpitations)
Tremor (trembling of the hands or fingers)
Anxiety, irritability, nervousness
Heat sensitivity
Excessive sweating
Menstrual changes
More frequent bowel movements
Sleep difficulties
Enlarged thyroid gland (goiter)
Thin skin
Brittle hair (breaks easily)

What are the risk factors for thyroid conditions?

Anyone can develop a thyroid disorder. However, certain people are at higher risk of thyroid disease. Here are some risk factors for thyroid disorders:
Age older than 60.
Female gender.
Family history of thyroid disease.
Medical conditions like type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, pernicious anemia, primary adrenal insufficiency, lupus, Sjögren’s syndrome, and Turner syndrome.
Certain medications such as amiodarone that have a high iodine content.
Iodine deficiency
Prior treatment for cancer or some other thyroid issue with thyroid surgery or neck radiation.

What are some signs of thyroid disease?

As mentioned above, the thyroid gland affects every organ in the body. Therefore, any problem with thyroid function can cause widespread symptoms. Some of the signs of thyroid disease—both those related to too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism) and those related to too little thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism)—include:

Fatigue or excessive tiredness
Muscle weakness, aches, stiffness
Weight changes (gaining weight or losing weight without making changes in your diet or exercise regimen).
Enlarged thyroid gland (goiter)—this can look like swelling at the base of the neck.
Menstrual cycle irregularities (heavy flow, more or less frequent periods).
Heat or cold sensitivity (feeling hotter or colder than others).
Mood disorders and mental symptoms like forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, anxiety, nervousness, irritability.
Hair and skin changes (thinning hair, thinning skin).

Because thyroid disorders do not cause any specific symptom that can help to diagnose them, it is important to seek medical care if you suspect your thyroid is not functioning properly. Untreated hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism can lead to a number of health problems in the future. Your doctor can measure the levels of thyroid hormones and find out if you have an overactive or underactive thyroid or other thyroid problems. Blood tests and imaging tests can identify conditions like thyroid cancer, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Graves disease, or other thyroid issues. Effective treatments are available for thyroid disorders, provided you seek medical attention in time.

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