Researchers concluded that many people suffer from various disorders of the thyroid gland, but many of them are not aware of it. The thyroid is a butterfly shaped gland located in the neck. It has an essential role in metabolic function. When there is a disruption of thyroid activity, this affects many aspects of your health. The main symptoms of thyroid dysfunction are weight fluctuations, depression and imbalance energy levels.
Undiagnosed thyroid problems can dramatically increase the risk of obesity, cardiovascular disease, depression, anxiety, hair loss, sexual dysfunction, infertility, and other health problems. It is important to go early to the endocrinologist for investigation and appropriate treatment.
The most common symptoms of thyroid gland:
When not functioning properly, the thyroid gland can release too many or too few hormones. The condition when thyroid produces too little hormone is called hypothyroidism, and when too many hormones are produced is called hyperthyroidism.
Specific manifestations of hypothyroidism are:
- Exhaustion and fatigue
- Depression
- Difficulty concentrating
- Unexplained or excessive weight increase
- Rough and dry skin accompanied by itching
- Dry, coarse and brittle hair
- Feeling cold, especially in the extremities
- Constipation
- Increased menstrual flow
- Frequent menses
- Infertility or miscarriage
Symptoms of hyperthyroidism are:
- Irritability
- Increased amount of sweat
- Thinning of the skin
- Brittle hair
- Muscle weakness, especially involving the upper arms and thighs
- Trembling of hands
- Panic disorder
- Insomnia
- Accelerated heart beats
- Weight loss, despite a good appetite
- Accelerated intestinal transit
- Rare menstruation with decreased blood flow
- Muscle and joint pain, tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome
- Nervousness
Muscle and joint pain, weakness in the arms and a tendency to develop carpal tunnel syndrome in the arms and hands, tarsal tunnel syndrome and plantar fasciitis present in the legs – all these can be symptoms of undiagnosed thyroid gland problems.
In the case of hypothyroidism, the following symptoms may be present: muscle pain and weakness, including cramps and stiffness, joint pain, general discomfort, tingling or burning sensations in the lower leg.
In people with hyperthyroidism may occur: difficulty in climbing stairs, to hold or to grasp objects with their hands or to reach their palms overhead.
– Goiter and discomfort in the neck – feeling of discomfort or swelling in the neck, this goiter or hoarse voice may be signs of an enlarged thyroid, seen especially in hyperthyroidism.
– Changes in skin and hair – hair and skin can suffer changes if thyroid conditions are worsening. In particular, hair loss is often associated with the thyroid gland. If hypothyroidism, hair, becomes brittle, coarse, dry and break easily and the skin becomes rough, thickened and scaly.
Increased hair loss (also for hair in the outer edge of the eyebrow) may occur. People with hyperthyroidism will have thin and fragile skin and will notice a severe hair loss.
– Intestinal problems – severe or long term constipation is frequently associated with hypothyroidism; diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome is correlated with hyperthyroidism.
– Disorders of menstruation and fertility problems – abundant and painful menstruation are frequently associated with hypothyroidism. When menstruation duration is shorter, and it is less important quantitatively, hyperthyroidism may be involved. Infertility can be associated with multiple undiagnosed and untreated thyroid conditions.
– Family history – if in your family history there are people who have thyroid problems, you have a higher risk of developing thyroid disease. You may not always be aware of thyroid dysfunction in your family, as many family members may not know that they suffer from certain thyroid conditions or refer to these as “issues of gland or goiter.” It is important to pay attention to excessive growth in weight of family members, as they can be triggered by thyroid disease.
– Problems with cholesterol – high cholesterol, especially one whose values do not decrease after drug treatments, diet and exercise, can be a sign of undiagnosed hypothyroidism. Unusually, low cholesterol levels may be signs of hyperthyroidism.
– Depression and anxiety – associated or not with sudden onset of panic disorder, depression and anxiety may be signs of thyroid disease. Hypothyroidism is most often associated with depression, while hyperthyroidism is frequently correlated with anxiety or panic attacks. Depression that does not improve after treatment with antidepressants can be a sign of undiagnosed thyroid disease.
– Changes in weight – even if you follow a diet low in fat, low in calories, you have a rigorous exercise program and still fail to lose weight, and on the contrary, you gain more, thyroid problems can be involved. Difficulties in weight loss can be a sign of hypothyroidism.
– Fatigue – even if you sleep 8-10 hours a night, you feel exhausted, and you are unable to continue without sleep during the day, then this could signal a thyroid dysfunction, specifically hypothyroidism. If case of hyperthyroidism, it is likely to suffer from insomnia, after which you will feel tired throughout the day.