Women are more susceptible to thyroid dysfunction than men, particularly during times of hormonal flux – i.e. those occurring during puberty, pregnancy, postpartum and perimenopause. If you’re wondering whether your thyroid is in trouble, here are the top 7 warning signs to watch for.
The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located in your neck that plays a crucial role in regulating your metabolism. It produces hormones, primarily thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which control how your body uses energy. These hormones influence nearly every cell, tissue, and organ in your body, determining the speed of your metabolic processes, such as how quickly you burn calories and how fast your heart beats.
Maintaining the right balance of thyroid hormones is essential for overall health and well-being.
Due to poor screening and reliance solely on TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) as the initial measure of thyroid function, thyroid conditions – especially Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (autoimmune thyroid disease) hypothyroidism and sub-clinical hypothyroidism – are missed, time and again.
Many will be told their labs are normal, despite feeling like cr*p.
Below are some of the most common early signs of thyroid dysfunction. If you are living with these symptoms, you have good reason to advocate for yourself and request a thorough thyroid function work-up.
I will cover what that entails, next week!
🥱 Fatigue
Fatigue is a common early warning sign of thyroid dysfunction, most notably seen in hypothyroidism, where the slower conversion of nutrients into energy occurs.
The fatigue associated with hypothyroidism is distinctive, manifesting as consistently low energy throughout the day. It often includes symptoms like brain fog and a general sense of sluggishness.
In contrast, fatigue related to iron or B12 deficiency presents as low energy with periods of breathlessness on exertion. Fatigue associated with adrenal dysfunction fluctuates with highs and lows, and the fatigue associated with chronic fatigue syndrome is severe and debilitating, followed by short periods of reprieve for weeks or months at a time, before relapsing.
⚖️ Weight fluctuations
Have you noticed a change in your weight, without trying? Perhaps an extra couple of kilos have been gained, or even lost?
The thyroid gland regulates our metabolism, so an overproduction of thyroid hormone, as seen in hyperthyroidism or Graves’ disease, accelerates metabolism, leading to weight loss and increased appetite.
Conversely, an underproduction of thyroid hormone, as seen in hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s disease, slows down metabolism, resulting in weight gain and reduced appetite.
💩 Gastrointestinal symptoms
Changes in thyroid function can impact digestion and bowel motility, causing food to move either too slowly or too quickly through the gastrointestinal tract.
In hyperthyroidism or Graves’ disease, gut motility may increase, resulting in loose bowels.
In hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s disease, gut motility may decrease, leading to sluggish bowels or constipation. This can increase the risk of bacterial overgrowth, which can cause stomach pain, nausea, reflux, bloating, and gas.
Additionally, autoimmune thyroid diseases (Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease) are strongly associated with Celiac disease and non-celiac wheat sensitivity, which can cause symptoms like diarrhoea, bloating, gas, foul-smelling stools, nausea, and pain.
🌡️ Temperature sensitivity
An inability to regulate body temperature is another early warning sign of thyroid dysfunction.
If you are the person with all the extra layers on in the room, and still can’t get warm, you may have an underactive thyroid.
If you have an intolerance to heat, with a tendency to sweat easily, you may have an overactive thyroid.
🫀 Heart rate changes
Thyroid hormones, particularly triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), significantly impact heart rate.
In hyperthyroidism, excess thyroid hormones can lead to a faster heart rate (tachycardia), and may also cause you to feel shaky or anxious.
In hypothyroidism, a deficiency of these hormones can result in a slower heart rate (bradycardia), and may also cause dizziness and fatigue.
💅 Changes in skin, hair and nails
Many signs and symptoms of thyroid disease develop in the skin, hair and nails.
In an underactive thyroid, this may present as –
- Pale, dry and cool skin
- Cracked, scaly skin
- Dry eyes
- Puffy eyes and face
- Slow-healing wounds
- Dry, brittle hair; hair loss
- Slow nail growth
- Soft, brittle, thin nails
- Separation of nails from the nail bed
- Sweating less than usual
In an overactive thyroid, this may present as –
- Moist, velvety and warm skin
- Thickened, scaly skin; hyperpigmentation
- Flushed face, red palms
- Protruding eyes
- Dry, red, watery eyes; double vision
- Hair loss
- Nail clubbing
- Sweating more than usual
Further to the above, hives/itchy skin, alopecia areata and vitiligo are all associated with thyroid disease [Source, Source, Source].
🦋 Strange sensations in the throat
The final red flag for potential thyroid disease lies in the throat, specifically, any unusual new sensations you may notice. This occurs due to the gland becoming swollen and inflamed.
Look out for –
- Swelling in the throat
- General discomfort in the area
- Tightness, difficulty swallowing
- Change in voice – a hoarse voice
- Reflux/burning sensation
🙋♀️ Is this you?
If you were mentally saying ‘check, check, check’, then I suggest you get a full thyroid function work-up to assess.
This will be detailed in the next blog – and spoiler alert – TSH does not test your thyroid hormones!
In many instances, thyroid issues can be reversed or greatly improved-upon with the right support, hooray!
I hope that helps!
If you would like tailored support, you can book a consult with me here.
Till next time,
Lauren.
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