Do you experience fatigue daily? Are you experiencing sudden weight gain, brain fog, hair loss or chill? Or it’s the opposite for you? Do you get anxious, sweaty and revved up a lot? If yes to some or all of it, your thyroid gland might be the cause of your health woes. Thyroid plays an important role in the mind and body and when it goes haywire, problem ensue. The right treatment is crucial for thyroid sufferers to avoid complications and to feel good. There are wide ranges of thyroid symptoms, particularly in women and knowing what these symptoms are could help you overcome the disorder.
What is thyroid?
Thyroid gland is located at the front of the neck. It is shaped like a butterfly and produces hormones that run the metabolism speed. When the thyroid enlarged or have problems, it can rev up or slow down the metabolism by unsettling the production of hormones. It is important for the body to have a balance hormone production. When the production is too high or too low, you may experience different symptoms.
Thyroid symptoms
Weight Loss or Gain
The most common signs of the disorder in the thyroid are sudden weight gain or loss. Unexplained changes in weight are a sign that you have a problem. When a person gains weight even though their diet has not changed, it is a sign that their thyroid hormone level is low.
Hypothyroidism is a condition that signifies low production of hormones. In case you experience the opposite, you will experience weight loss. This condition is known as hyperthyroidism. Between hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism the former is the most common condition.
Swelling in the Neck
Enlargement or swelling in the neck is another sign that the thyroid has a problem. Goiter often occurs with hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. There are also times when the enlargement is the result of nodules or thyroid cancer. The lump grows inside the thyroid gland causing swelling in the neck. Sometimes, enlargement is also brought on by other health problems.
Heart Rate
Thyroid hormones can influence every organ in the body including the heart. So, people with thyroid disorder may also notice changes in the heart beat. Hypothyroidism may result in slower heart rate while people with hyperthyroidism may notice rapid heart rate. Thyroid disorder may also cause heart palpitations.
Hair Loss
Hair loss is also a sign of thyroid hormone disorder. Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can cause hair loss. People who have thyroid problem and were treated will grow their hair back.
Mood Swings
Thyroid hormone can also affect mood swings and energy. People with hyperthyroidism can experience anxiety, irritability, restlessness, and sleeping problem. Hypothyroidism can cause depression, sluggishness and tiredness.
Regulate Body Temperature
Thyroid problem may also affect the body temperature. In fact, hyperthyroidism causes excessive sweating. People hypothyroidism may experience constant chill or cold.
Symptoms of thyroid
There are other symptoms of hypothyroidism and these are:
- Tingling or numbness in the hands
- Brittle nails
- Dry skin
- Constipation
- Irregular menstrual periods
Hyperthyroidism also has other symptoms, such as:
- Trembling of hands
- Muscle weakness
- Vision problems
- Irregular menstruation
- Diarrhea
Take note, irregular or changes in menstrual cycle are often mistaken for menopause symptom. So, women showing signs of menstrual cycle irregularity overlooked the real cause of the problem. A blood test is conducted to determine whether the symptom is due to thyroid disorder or menopause.
Thyroid disorder is a serious health problem. So, everyone should be tested for thyroid disorder every five years starting at the age of 35. Those who have a family history of hyperthyroidism should be screened more often. On my next post, I will talk about diagnosing thyroid disorder and solution.
