The thyroid gland is the one that controls several different parts of the body’s functioning, and can impact different aspects such as metabolism, weight, energy levels and even depression.
Imbalances or problems relating to thyroid can be responsible for heart disease, obesity, sexual dysfunction, hair loss, depression, anxiety, infertility and other health hazards. One or more of the following symptoms may be a sign that you may have thyroid problems:
- Weight changes may be the clearest indicator of thyroid imbalance. Someone who eats right, exercises and still experiences weight gain or finds difficulty in losing weight in spite of their best efforts may have hypothyroidism. Changes in weight could be due to hyper or hypo thyroidism
- Feelings of fatigue without too much exertion, or finding a full night’s sleep to be insufficient, or even insomnia could be the sign of a thyroid imbalance.
- Recurrent anxiety, depression or panic attacks could be the sign of a thyroid disorder, particularly if the condition is not improved with therapy or medication.
- If a person finds that they have high cholesterol levels that are not responsive to restrictive diet or exercise and are resistant even to medication, it could be that there is an underlying thyroid problem.
- Did you hear of people in your family (particularly the older people) having goiter or glandular problems? If so, this could mean that you have a family history of thyroid. This increases your chances of having thyroid problems and developing issues with thyroid yourself.
- Women may find that their periods seem heavier, closer together, and more painful than they were earlier. This could mean that they have hypothyroidism. If on the other hand they find that periods are lighter, irregular or have longer cycles, they could be having hyperthyroidism. Infertility could be associated with thyroid problems as well.
- Bowel problems such as constipation may have its roots in hypothyroidism, whereas IBS or diarrhea is seen to be connected to hyperthyroidism.
- Hair loss or otherwise unexplained skin changes could be due to thyroid. Hair could become coarser, more brittle and dry, whereas skin could become more scaly, thick and dry.
- Swelling or enlargement of the neck area or hoarsening of the voice could also be symptoms of thyroid disease.
- Thyroid problems could also cause pain in the muscles and joint aches. Carpal tunnel syndrome could also result from thyroid problems.
