Most of the symptoms related to the problem of an overactive thyroid gland are easy to dismiss. They are common problems most of us are plagued by from time to time. One of the first warning signs that you should pay closer attention is when the common little annoyances happen more frequently than would be considered normal. The next sign is that you have more than one of the symptoms commonly associated with this type of thyroid condition.
Overactive Thyroid Symptoms to Watch For
Whenever you have a frequent occurrence of any one of the following, or more than one of them occurring on a regular basis you should seek medical attention for a possible thyroid condition. Look for:
- Dry or itchy skin
- Redness of the skin on the shins
- Low heat tolerance
- Sweating
- Heart palpitations
- High blood pressure
- Changes in bowel movements or diarrhoea
- Insomnia
- Changes in appetite
- Mood swings or irritability
- Muscle weakness or fatigue
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Dizziness
- Changes in vision
- Double vision
- Changes in sex drive or performance
- Tremors
- Paralysis
- Numbness of hands or feet
- Problems with memory or concentration
- Low or rapidly changing blood sugar levels
- Unexplained changes in weight (usually loss, but weight gain can occur)
- Nervousness or anxiety
- Depression
Is Treatment for Overactive Thyroid Symptoms Necessary?
Since many of the possible symptoms related to hyperthyroidism are mild at the start, and weight loss is rarely considered as much of a problem as weight gain the condition is sometimes ignored at the beginning. However, it is dangerous to let the problem go untreated. When allowed to continue unchecked, this form of thyroid disease can cause serious and even fatal problems. Even before long term effects take shape, the severity and combinations of the early symptoms will increase and multiply.
Life threatening illnesses resulting from untreated thyroid problems include delirium and death from a condition known as thyrotoxic crisis. Blindness from swelling of the eyes can occur. Brittle bones break easier and heart problems develop from long term exposure to the higher blood pressure and rapid heartbeat caused by an overactive thyroid. The sooner you can get treatment for your thyroid problems, the less likely you will be to develop serious complications.
Your doctor will help you adjust your lifestyle to accommodate the disease. Along with medical treatment for overactive thyroid symptoms, complementary therapies including relaxation techniques such as meditation, yoga and regular exercise can help control overactive thyroid symptoms.
If you have questions or concerns about how to recognise overactive thyroid symptoms or thyroid problems see your local doctor who will arrange for you to see a thyroid surgeon.
