Subtle Signs of a Thyroid Problem
Thyroid disease is a chronic illness that prevents your thyroid gland from making the right amount of hormones. It nearly affects 200 million people worldwide, and it is more prevalent in women than in men. Based on the reports from the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, about half remain undiagnosed. How to know if you have a thyroid problem? Thyroid problems can be traced with certain signs. Here is a brief about some subtle signs of a thyroid problem.
1) Irregular Menstruation
Your thyroid helps to maintain your menstrual cycle. Hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism (overactive or underactive thyroid gland) can cause changes in your menstrual cycle. Women with thyroid problems may have lighter, heavier, or missed periods and may also have trouble getting pregnant.
2) Sudden Weight Loss or Gain
An unexplained and sudden change in weight can be one of the first indicators of any thyroid problem. If suddenly you have gained weight, your thyroid is not working properly, and in case if you have suddenly lost weight, your thyroid may be overactive.
3) Thinning Hair
Hair fall is one indicator that thyroid hormones may be out of balance. An underactive or overactive thyroid can cause thinning of hair and may result in hair fall. Mostly you can notice the thinning of hair in the eyebrows and crown area. However, in several cases, hair can grow back once the thyroid problem gets treated.
4) Mood Changes
Thyroid problems can have a considerable impact on your energy level and cause changes in your mood. An underactive thyroid can make you feel tired, sluggish, and depressed. In the case of overactive thyroid, you may feel anxious, and you may have problems sleeping, restlessness, and irritability. Imbalance in the thyroid hormone can also cause mood swings.
5) Problems with Sleep
When you start to experience problems with sleep, your thyroid could be to blame. Despite causing fatigue during the daytime by slowing down the metabolism, it can also cause some sleep disorders. Some people with an underactive thyroid can experience insomnia (lack of sleep). In the case of overactive thyroid, it can overstimulate your system and can keep you awake the whole night.
6) Irregular Heart Rate
Insufficient thyroid hormones can slow down your heart rate and can raise your blood pressure. The opposite happens in the case of hyperthyroidism. It can cause palpitations and sudden awareness of your heartbeat. People with hyperthyroidism can also have high blood pressure.
The earlier you address the problem and get it treated, the more likely you are to prevent any irreversible damage. When the problems are left without treatment, it can lead to other health problems. So if you have any of the symptoms, consult a doctor online and get your thyroid levels checked.
