Symptoms relating to thyroid gland dysfunction will usually fall into one of two categories: hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland is underactive, while hyperthyroidism occurs when it is overactive.
While both conditions are generally not life threatening, they can seriously diminish a person’s quality of life. This is why it is important for individuals to know what to be on the lookout for.
Thyroid disease can present itself differently in each patient, so the symptoms for thyroid conditions will vary from one person to the next.
Symptoms for thyroid gland disease – what to lookout for
When it comes to hypothyroidism, some of the most common symptoms that patients experience include:
- Fatigue
- Feeling run down and sluggish
- Depression
- Difficulty concentrating, brain fog
- Unexplained or excessive weight gain
- Dry, coarse and/or itchy skin
- Dry, coarse and/or thinning hair
- Feeling cold, especially in the extremities
- Constipation
- Muscle cramps
Hyperthyroidism – symptoms for a thyroid that is overactive include:
- Nervousness
- Irritability
- Increased perspiration
- Thinning of your skin
- Fine brittle hair
- Muscular weakness especially involving the upper arms and thighs
- Shaky hands
- Panic disorder
- Insomnia
- Racing heart
- More frequent bowel movements
- Weight loss despite a good appetite
With both types of thyroid disorders, it is not uncommon for nodules to appear on the gland itself. A person who has a goitre or nodule will often feel as though their neck is tight, swollen or tender. The actual goitre itself may or may not be visible when looking at the neck. Goitres may grow in size and if they are left untreated, they can cause neck pain, difficulty swallowing, or hoarseness.
The good news is that both conditions are treatable; however, if a patient is experiencing multiple symptoms, then it will be highly important for them to visit their doctor promptly. Again, these conditions are usually not life threatening, but they can affect a person’s ability to get through their daily routine. Since they can be treated, neither condition should be tolerated.
A thyroid doctor will perform the appropriate tests, talk with their patient, and then plan for the right course of treatment. With the knowledge of what symptoms for thyroid conditions to be on the lookout for, a person will not have to suffer any longer than is necessary.
