What Are Early Warning Signs of Thyroid Problems? These Sneaky Symptoms Are Easy To Write Off
By Jennifer Bringle,
2024-08-27
Most of us don’t give our thyroid a second thought. But the small, butterfly-shaped gland at the front of your neck plays a vital role in your overall health: It produces hormones that help regulate metabolism, body temperature, mood, energy, heart rate and more. Sometimes, though, the thyroid can become sluggish or start running in overdrive. But how do you know when something is amiss? And what are the early warning signs of thyroid problems? Here’s everything you need to know.
Women are more prone to thyroid problems
“Women experience thyroid disease three to four times as frequently as men,” says Joseph A. Aloi, MD , endocrinology and metabolism professor at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. Experts suspect this is because women are more prone to autoimmune diseases, which can increase the risk of thyroid trouble. Hormonal changes, such as those experienced during pregnancy and menopause, can also play a role in thyroid problems.
What are the early warning signs of thyroid problems?
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The two most common types of thyroid issues are hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Here, the early warning signs of each type of thyroid problem.
Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid doesn’t make enough hormones to support the body’s needs. This is the most common type of thyroid problem. It can be caused by Hashimoto’s disease, an autoimmune condition wherein the immune system attacks the thyroid.
Other causes include thyroiditis — inflammation of the thyroid — as well as congenital conditions and certain medicines. There is often a family history of thyroid problems, too. Dr. Aloi says symptoms of hypothyroidism can include:
And the surprising things that can contribute to a thyroid dysfunction
Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
With hyperthyroidism, the thyroid makes more hormones than the body needs. This type of thyroid problem is less common. A number of things can cause hyperthyroidism, but the culprit is often Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder that causes the immune system to attack the thyroid. Dr. Aloi says some of the early warning signs of hyperthyroidism include:
“Older patients sometimes don’t have a lot of symptoms at all,” Dr. Aloi says. “And a lot of patients come to me saying, ‘I’m just not feeling right.’”
More advanced signs of thyroid problems
While it’s easy to write off the early warning signs of thyroid problems as something else, Dr. Aloi says some symptoms can indicate more serious disease progression.
“If you have hypothyroidism, it can greatly elevate your cholesterol panel in lab tests,” he says. “So if you typically have had no issues with cholesterol and all of a sudden have cholesterol levels in the 200 to 300 range, that can indicate hypothyroidism.”
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And another warning sign of thyroid disease, both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, can be more obvious.
“Looking in the mirror, some people will see a fullness in their neck,” Dr. Aloi says. “The thyroid gland can be enlarged in both hypo- and hyperthyroidism. It can be a goiter or thyroid nodules, which can indicate thyroid cancer.”
What to do if you notice warning signs of thyroid problems
Ivan Pantic
Dr. Aloi says that if you notice some of the early warning signs of thyroid problems, you should consult your doctor for testing. He or she will likely recommend a thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) test. This screens thyroid hormone levels for both hypo- and hyperthyroidism with one blood test.
“TSH is the hormone your pituitary gland secretes in response to how it thinks your thyroid is doing,” Dr. Aloi says. “So if your thyroid is underactive, the TSH will be very high. But if you have hyperthyroidism, your brain doesn’t think you need more thyroid hormones, so it doesn’t make TSH.”
Dr. Aloi cautions that some medications and supplements, such as biotin, can interfere with the results of the TSH screen.
“High doses of biotin can be measured as a high rate of hormones, which can give the false impression of an overactive thyroid,” he says. “Biotin doesn’t impact your thyroid. But if you’re taking 5 mg. or more [daily], remember to stop it at least by the day before your testing.”
Treatment for thyroid problems
Dr. Aloi says there are a number of treatments to help patients regulate their thyroid hormone levels. For hypothyroidism, doctors may prescribe desiccated thyroid (derived from animal thyroids) or medications such as levothyroxine. Hyperthyroidism treatments can include medications such as methimazole, as well as radioactive iodine.
I have hypothyroidism! But my doctor won’t listen to me! I have gained weight and my hair is falling out . I’m so constipated I ended up going to the ER! In the morning I’m so bloated! He keeps lowering my medication and it’s not working 😡😡😡😡
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