Even though thyroid disorders are common, around 50-60 percent of cases go undiagnosed because people often mistake the symptoms for something else.
Thyroid diseases often share symptoms with other conditions and stages of life, which makes it easy to confuse the two. For instance, postpartum women are not aware they have thyroid problems because the symptoms are much like the ‘baby blues.’ Or, women in their late 40s often confuse the symptoms with menopause.
There are many other cases in which the thyroid mimics the symptoms of other illnesses. This blog will clear all your doubts. Knowing the signs and symptoms of thyroid imbalance can help you avoid the complications from a thyroid disorder and related conditions. With that as our central thought, let’s understand all about the signs and symptoms of thyroid problems.
Thyroid Problems Are More Common Than You May Think
Over 40 million Indians have a thyroid disorder. In fact, these problems are more common than chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma. But since the disorder shows many common signs, it’s easily missed.
The thyroid—a butterfly-shaped gland located on the front of your neck—plays a very important role in ensuring that your body operates at its best. It produces just the right amount of thyroid hormone that influences practically all tissues and every organ in your body, like regulating your body’s metabolism and keeping your heart, brain, muscles, and other organs at peak performance.
But when things go out of whack with this little gland, it goes into overactive or underactive mode, where it produces too much or too little hormones, respectively.
As a result of this abnormality in hormone production by the gland, severe and frustrating symptoms start to show up in various parts of your body. Because these symptoms can appear far from where the gland is located, it’s easy to overlook their connection to thyroid health.
If you have been experiencing weight fluctuations, improper sleep, loss of focus, and memory loss for quite a while, or anything that makes your body ‘not feel right,’ then consult your physician to get a blood test done for your thyroid.
There are many treatments available for most thyroid disorders, ranging from medications to surgery in severe cases. Ayurvedic remedies like Krishna’s Thyro Balance Juice can also help improve your thyroid disorder and naturally regulate hormone balance, as it contains more than 20 potent herbs.
Signs And Symptoms of Thyroid Imbalance
When the gland is not working as efficiently as it should, or in simple words, it’s not producing enough thyroid hormones (TH), it’s called hypothyroidism. And when the gland is hyperactive and produces too much of the hormones, it’s called hyperthyroidism.
In the initial stages, there may be no symptoms. But, over the years, this imbalance can cause the following symptoms.
1. Unexplained weight gain or weight loss
Before we get into how weight gain or weight loss occurs in thyroid imbalance, let’s first get clear about what is the relationship between the thyroid and weight.
The relationship between body weight, thyroid disease, and metabolism is complex. The process of turning food into energy in your body is called metabolism. It refers to the energy that your body uses to perform basic functions like pumping the heart, circulating blood, blinking, breathing, etc.
When at rest, this energy use is called the Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR). The energy balance is affected by the BMR, which is measured by how many calories you eat compared to the calories your body uses. When BMR is high, your body burns more calories, which can help with weight loss. When BMR is low, fewer calories are burned, which can lead to weight gain.
The hormones produced by the thyroid gland affect this BMR. If they are high, the BMR is raised; if the thyroid hormones are low, the BMR is decreased. Now, hypothyroidism patients burn fewer calories, and this results in weight gain. And hyperthyroidism patients burn more calories, which results in weight loss.
2. Cold or Heat Intolerance
How well your thyroid gland functions impacts your sensitivity to temperature also. One symptom of hypothyroidism is difficulty tolerating the cold. When your thyroid is underactive, it slows down all your body processes. This leads to lower energy levels in your cells and results in less heat production. On the other hand, an overactive thyroid boosts energy in your cells, causing individuals with hyperthyroidism to struggle with heat tolerance.
3. Mood Swings and Mental Health Changes
When it comes to mood swings and mental health, your thyroid can be the one to blame. The slow production of hormones affects how your brain chemistry works, leading to a decline in cognitive functions, which include difficulty focusing, low energy, improper sleep, and forgetfulness. Mental health symptoms like feelings of sadness, anxiety, or depression are also common (especially in hypothyroidism cases, and if the condition has been there for years). Even small things can make you feel irritated and more emotional.
In the case of hyperthyroidism, your brain chemistry might become hyperactive and cause symptoms like anxiety and aggression. If you’re taking medication for depression, make sure the doctor who prescribed it is aware of your thyroid problem.
The mental health issues might take some time to subside and may persist after your TH levels are stable at normal levels. But being consistent with your medication and healthy lifestyle is what will make things better eventually.
4. Heart Rate Variations
The heart’s function is closely linked to TH and your body’s demand for oxygen and nutrients. When TH levels are low due to hypothyroidism, your body’s metabolism slows down, which means it needs less energy and oxygen. As a result, your heart receives the message that there is less demand, so it beats more slowly to match this lower need for blood flow and energy. This is why a low heart rate often occurs with hypothyroidism. The opposite happens in hyperthyroidism, and your heart is faster than usual.
5. Feeling Tired (fatigue)
Numerous body functions, from digestion to breathing to maintaining heart rate, weight, and mood, are all regulated by your thyroid hormones. It’s no wonder that when the TH goes out of whack, you may feel extra tired or lack energy.
This is a common symptom in both hyperactive and underactive thyroid. So, even after a full night’s sleep, if you still wake up tired in the morning or remain sluggish or fatigued all day long, that’s a clue that your thyroid is imbalanced.
6. Irregular Periods
Menstrual issues can indicate a thyroid condition. Extremely light, heavy, or irregular periods may all be symptoms. The absence of a period can also be a warning sign. Additionally, girls with thyroid disorders might experience their first period either unusually early or late.
Wrapping Up!
The symptoms of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism are often the ‘opposite’ because hyperthyroidism speeds up your metabolism, and hypothyroidism slows it down.
Remember that experiencing one of these symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean you have a thyroid disorder. To confirm that there is an imbalance in the gland, your doctor may recommend a few tests. So, before you come to a conclusion, it’s always best to consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis of thyroid disease.
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