12 Subtle Symptoms Of A Thyroid Problem You Should Never Ignore

Your thyroid is located in the front of your neck and is shaped like a butterfly, which is highlighted above in red. It’s hard to believe such a tiny thing in your body can have so much influence, but it does.

The primary thyroid problems people most often experience are:

• Hyperthyroidism, when the thyroid becomes overactive and produces too much of the thyroid hormone
• Hypothyroidism, when the thyroid is underactive, producing too little thyroid hormone

Let’s take a closer look at some of the symptoms thryoid problems of either variety can cause.

According to the Mayo Clinic, an over- or underactive thyroid can completely alter your mood. Too little thyroid hormone can affect the levels of “happy” serotonin in the brain, making you feel unusually blue or even depressed.

On the flip side, too much thyroid hormone can make you feel anxious, restless, or irritable.

If you are suffering from constipation and you can’t kick it, a disruption in thyroid hormone production can cause a slowdown in digestion.

Of course, there can be many other reasons for constipation, so be sure to talk to a doctor and try other health strategies for constipation, like hydrating and eating an adequate amount of fiber.

We all have a hard time getting out of bed in the morning, but when it feels unbearable, it’s time to talk to a doctor.

A sluggish thyroid can make bodily functions slow to a turtle’s pace, making you feel sleepy even during the day.

Is your skin dry and itchy, and it’s not even winter? This may be a symptom of hypothyroidism. The shift in texture is thanks to a slowed metabolism, which can reduce sweating.

Your hair and nails may feel dry and brittle, as well. Your hair may even be falling out. The reason? A lack of thyroid hormone interrupts your hair growth cycle, which results in hair loss, sometimes even including your eyebrows.

“Lots of my patients come in and tell me that their hairdresser sent them,” says Dr. Miller. “They’ll say, ‘My hair stylist said I’m losing my hair and I needed to go ask my doctor about my thyroid.’ The hair salons are more aware of thyroid problems than some doctors!”

Though weight gain can be caused by many factors, sudden weight gain without any changes to your dietary or physical habits could be cause for concern, according to WebMD.

In fact, unexplained weight gain is one of the main reasons people show up in Dr. Miller’s office.

“They’ll tell me that they aren’t eating any more than usual, but they’re gaining weight,” she says. “They are exercising, but they are getting nowhere. They can’t lose it.” It’s almost always due to an underactive thyroid, she says.

Too little thyroid hormone can equal a low libido, according to Health.com.

However, experiencing the other symptoms of thyroid issues — weight gain, body aches, hair loss — could also contribute to your lack of desire.

If we stub a toe, our toe tends to hurt. Or if we embark on a new exercise, like rowing a canoe, we may feel soreness in our arm muscles over the next few days. These kinds of pains are perfectly normal and have an explanation.

But if you feel random and mysterious tightening or numbness in your arms, hands, legs, or feet, consider that your thyroid may be the culprit.

A lack of thyroid hormone can damage the nerves that send signals from your brain to the rest of your body over time. “The result is ‘unexplained’ tingles and twinges,” according to Dr. Miller.

When we fall in love with someone, we may feel a little pitter-patter in the old ticker.

However, the flutter caused by thyroid issues is very different. It’s more pronounced; it feels like your heart is skipping a beat or two. In fact, you can maybe even feel it in the pulse points of your neck and wrist.

If this sounds like something you are experiencing, it may be heart palpitations, which may mean there are too many thyroid hormones flooding your system.

Your brain may feel a little fuzzy with age, but if this suddenly gets more intense, it could be your thyroid. Too much thyroid hormone can make it difficult to concentrate, while too little causes forgetfulness.

“When we treat patients for hypothyroidism, they are often surprised at how fast their brain fog goes away and how much sharper they feel,” says Dr.Miller. “Many women think it’s just something that comes along with menopause, when it really is a sign of a thyroid problem.”

If you have high blood pressure and nothing seems to be resolving the issue without medication — such as a healthier diet or more exercise — you may want to get your thyroid checked.

An under-active thyroid can cause high levels of the “bad” cholesterol, which unfortunately can lead to an enlarged heart or heart failure.

Do things taste different all of a sudden? An underactive thyroid can mess with your sense of taste and smell, according to Health.com.

However, if you can’t stop eating, it may be hyperthyroidism, which is an overactive thyroid.

If this is the case, the “hyper” part of the disorder will balance out all the calories you take in — so despite constantly eating, you might not gain any weight. Though this might sound like every woman’s dream, it’s definitely a reason to make an appointment with your doctor.

Your thyroid is in your neck, so pain in your neck or throat could indicate thyroid problems. Additionally, a lump in your throat, a change in your voice, or even a goiter could be a sign of a thyroid disorder.

If you feel any of these things, look at your neck in the mirror and see if you notice any swelling.

According to the American Academy of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE), you can perform a thyroid self-check at home by following these steps:

• Hold a mirror in your hand and look at your neck, focusing on the lower front area of your neck, above the collarbones, and below the voice box. (This is where the thyroid is located.)
• While focusing on this area in the mirror, tip your head back. Take a drink of water and swallow.
• As you swallow, look at your neck. Check for any bulges or protrusions in this area when you swallow.
• Note: Don’t confuse the Adam’s apple with the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is located further down on your neck, closer to the collarbone. You may want to repeat this process several times.

If you do see any bulges or protrusions in this area, see your doctor. You may have an enlarged thyroid gland or a thyroid nodule that should be checked to determine whether further evaluation is needed.