Your thyroid gland is a key part of your endocrine system. Hormones produced by this butterfly-shaped organ influence various functions in your body. The way your body performs both mentally and physically also depends on the work of your thyroid gland. Thyroid disorder develops when your thyroid gland makes too much or too little hormones. These conditions are called hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Both of these can lead to severe problems.
Keep on reading to discover the eight most common signs of thyroid disease.
1. Nervousness and anxiety
When your thyroid gland secretes too many hormones, they cause your body to work on overdrive. First, this can result in rapid mood swings and overactive thinking. In the long run, these symptoms can make you feel nervous and anxious.
2. Weight loss
The excess amount of thyroid hormones can boost your appetite and metabolism, causing unintentional weight loss. And while little inexplicable weight loss may not seem like a big problem, it can lead to dramatic and unwanted changes over time. Even with regular and sufficient food consumption, you’ll most likely continue losing weight, typically from 5 to 10 pounds a month. Hence, it’s very important to get checked by an endocrinologist to determine the precise cause of your symptoms and start appropriate treatment.
3. More bowel movements
Hormonal imbalance can negatively affect your digestive system, resulting in frequent bowel movements, diarrhea, malabsorption, and steatorrhea. An overactive thyroid gland can also lead to frequent changes in your bowel habits.
4. Brittle nails and thinning hair
Both your nails and hair are in the constant process of growth. An overactive thyroid gland will send hormone signals that stimulate faster nail and hair growth. While it may seem like a positive side effect of thyroid disease, it’s not. As a result of forced growth, your body will stretch its energy and resources, making your hair fall out and nails become brittle.
5. Difficulty sleeping
Because excess thyroid hormones make your body more active, it may result in problems with falling asleep. For example, hormonal imbalance can make your nervous system overactive. You may experience difficulty sleeping by no fault of your own. Besides, nervousness and anxiety due to thyroid disease can also lead to sleep problems.
6. Fatigue
When your thyroid gland becomes underactive, your body starts to secrete fewer hormones. This can make it more difficult for you to recover from daily stress. You’ll start feeling exhausted more often. It will become harder for you to move, think, and concentrate as mental fatigue will set in.
7. Brain fog and depression
Because of thyroid hormone shortage, your body won’t be able to use energy as effectively. This will cause your nervous system to slow down. Apart from being exhausted, you’ll feel sluggish, experience raping changes in mood and symptoms of depression. Patients who have undergone hormone replacement therapy performed by an endocrinologist typically reported improvement in depression symptoms.
8. Sensitivity to cold
The hormones your thyroid gland produce and also regulate the temperature of your body. With an underactive thyroid gland, your body will have a harder time heating itself due to slowed-down metabolism. Hence, you’ll become more sensitive to cold.
9. Muscle pain and weakness
Without being stimulated by thyroid hormones, your muscles will start to weaken. In severe cases, they may atrophy or get extremely relaxed. Besides, your muscles can become sore, heavy, and tired. That’s because of catabolism, a process that deteriorates muscles and other tissues for energy.
The bottom line
If you experience any of the aforementioned symptoms, consider reaching out to an endocrinologist to get your thyroid checked. Remember that untreated thyroid disorder can lead to various health problems, including cardiovascular disease, infertility, mental health issues, and goiter.
