Maybe you’ve heard of people having issues with their thyroid, or you suspect you might be experiencing it. The most common issues that involve the thyroid include overacting and producing too many hormones or under producing and not making enough. So to get a better idea of what to expect with these two diseases, we’re here to break down the most common symptoms of thyroid problems to keep an eye out for.
Hyperthyroidism Symptoms
Hyperthyroidism is when this gland makes too many hormones to control appetite, mood, weight, etc. Here are the most common symptoms of thyroid problems for an overactive gland.
Anxiety/Irritability
If you’ve noticed that your mood changes quickly and there’s an increase in anxiety and irritability, it may be a sign that your thyroid isn’t functioning properly. Thyroid issues can also increase nervousness.
Hyperactivity
One symptom that may be hard to notice but is also related to hyperthyroidism is hyperactivity. If you find yourself unable to sit still, it could be a symptom of an overactive thyroid.
Muscle Weakness
Muscle weakness is another common symptom of thyroid problems. You would experience tremors, mostly in the hands and feet.
Sensitivity to Heat
We’ve all experienced being hot before, but someone struggling with hyperthyroidism is especially sensitive to heat. This symptom presents as excessive sweating and heat intolerance.
Difficulty Sleeping
Sleep troubles can be a sign of several issues, but if you pair it with these other symptoms, it could be a good idea to have your thyroid checked. You would be having trouble falling and staying asleep.
Heart Issues
Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism present with heart issues, but they’re different. For an overactive gland, your heart would be racing, which is known as tachycardia. You could also experience heart palpitations (heart pounding) or arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat).
Weight Loss
Another symptom of hyperthyroidism is weight loss. Since you’re getting an influx of hormones, the ones that control metabolism are affected. They increase how quickly your body’s metabolism works, causing it to speed up and you to lose weight.
Hypothyroidism Symptoms
Hypothyroidism is the underproduction of hormones by your thyroid gland. Here are some of the common symptoms of thyroid problems when it’s not functioning properly.
Cold Sensitivity
If your thyroid isn’t producing enough hormones, you will be more sensitive to cold. We’ve all been cold, but you won’t be able to handle being in cold environments.
Dry Skin
Another symptom you may not think much of unless it’s paired with these other symptoms is dry skin. No matter how much water you drink or lotion you use, your skin will stay dry.
Hoarse Voice
A strange symptom you may not think much of is a hoarse voice. But if you notice some of the other symptoms of thyroid problems paired with a hoarse voice, you may want to get checked out.
Weight Gain
Since hypothyroidism causes your gland to not produce enough hormones, it slows your metabolism down. This can result in gaining weight without changing any of your daily habits.
Heart Issues
Like we briefly mentioned, both thyroid diseases cause heart problems. With hypothyroidism, everything slows down, including your heart rate. This is known as bradycardia.
Coarse Hair
You may notice your hair becoming coarse and rough if you have hypothyroidism. It won’t matter how much conditioner or conditioning products you use, it won’t solve the issue.
Loss of Libido
Loss of libido is another common hypothyroidism symptom. You won’t have the same drive that you had before.
These symptoms of thyroid problems can help you determine if you need to see your primary care physician or a specialist to be diagnosed with hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. If you want to take care of your thyroid and the rest of your body, you should consider picking up some supplements from our pharmacy! Reach out to us for recommendations of what you should get!
