Signs of Thyroid Problems – Determining if You Have an Issue
There are many signs of thyroid problems;
however, not everyone realizes that they are experiencing complications
with their thyroid gland. According to statistics, approximately sixty
million people in the United States alone have a problem with the
thyroid – a gland that resembles a butterfly that is located in the neck
region of the body. According to medical professionals, this is the
gland that has the greatest impact on a person’s metabolism.
When you
experience signs of thyroid problems,
you may experience complications in every aspect of your health. The
thyroid truly effects so many of your body’s systems. You may suffer from
depression; you may find that your energy levels start to drop
drastically or you may experience unusual fluctuations with your weight.
Here are some of the most common signs of thyroid problems so that you can pinpoint a complication in the initial stages.
Fatigue
One of the most common signs is experiencing an unusual and unexplained amount of fatigue. You may
find that you still feel exhausted, even after receiving a full night
of rest. On average, it is believed that eight to ten hours of rest is
the ideal amount of sleep for most of us. Women that find that they
wake up feeling un-refreshed after sleeping for this amount of time, may
have an issue with their thyroid.
Furthermore, the fatigue may be so
severe that you may feel as if you are unable to function throughout the
day. If you are suffering from a thyroid problem called
Hyperthyroidism, you may experience extreme bouts of insomnia that
leaves you unable to sleep even though you may be exhausted.
Weight Fluctuations
You may find that you experience unusual and unexplained fluctuations
with your weight. In some instances, it may become difficult to gain
weight. In other instances, it may be challenging to lose weight –
regardless of diet and the amount of physical exercise that you
participate in on a regular basis. The thyroid problems referred to as
Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism may both result in extreme weight
fluctuations.
Psychological Complications
It is not at all uncommon for a person to experience an occasional bout
of unhappiness or depression. However, if the unhappiness or depression
lasts for an excessive amount of time and is not relieved when taking
antidepressant medication, it could be because of a thyroid problem.
Women that suffer from thyroid disease may experience a broad range of
psychological complications. Examples include extreme mood fluctuations,
depression, anxiety and panic attacks. These are all potential signs of thyroid problems and should be addressed with your doctor along with a list of other symptoms you have.
Changes to the Skin and the Hair
Women
may find that they experience changes to their skin and hair. It is not
at all unusual for the hair to become brittle and dry. It may break
easily and you may even find that you are losing your hair at
exceptionally fast rate. You may also find that your hair becomes
exceptionally coarse and wiry. There are many women that may find that
their skin starts to thin and become extremely fragile and really dry.
If you find that you are experiencing any of the common signs of thyroid problems
it is important that you take the time to set up an appointment with
your doctor to have your thyroid evaluated. You should bring a list of symptoms with you to your appointment to share with your doctor. Don’t leave any symptoms off your list!
You may undergo a clinical
evaluation and be asked to provide a blood sample. In some instances,
you may be required to undergo imaging tests and even have a biopsy
performed.
The tests for thyroid problems that you will be requested to
participate in will be based on factors such as the symptoms that you
are experiencing, your age, your family history and your personal
medical history. If your doctor finds that you are experiencing signs of thyroid problems, they should assist you in establishing a treatment plan.
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