If you suspect a thyroid problem, talk with your doctor about having a blood test to evaluate your thyroid hormone levels.
The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in your neck. Thyroid hormone plays an important role in the body — it regulates the metabolic rate. A disruption in the complex process of thyroid hormone production can potentially impact almost every aspect of metabolic function, from heart rate to menstruation to hair and skin texture.
Many things can go wrong with the thyroid, but the most common problems are overproduction (hyperthyroidism) or underproduction (hypothyroidism) of thyroid hormone. These conditions are more prevalent among middle-aged and elderly people, and they occur much more often among women than among men.
Possible symptoms of each are listed below. Some are blatant red flags for thyroid disorders. But symptoms aren’t always obvious, so you could have thyroid disease without knowing it. By the same token, the presence of one or more of these symptoms doesn’t prove anything. Blood tests are really the best indicators. Thyroid tests should be a routine periodic test in people older than about 40 or 45.
Overactive Thyroid Symptoms
- accelerated heartbeat
- nervousness or irritability
- excessive sweating
- weight loss
- hair loss
- light menstrual flow
- increased bowel movements
- bulging eyes
- blood pressure increases
Underactive Thyroid Symptoms
- slowed heart rate
- fatigue
- lethargy
- trouble with concentration and memory
- weight gain
- increased menstrual flow
- dry skin and hair
- constipation
Hypothyroidism is a very commonly underdiagnosed problem. Many times a woman will have problems after childbirth or menopause. If you are having problems, talk with your doctor about getting a blood test. Treatment depends on symptoms and the level of thyroid hormone in the blood.