An estimated 27 million Americans are living with a thyroid condition and they are not even aware of it! The numbers would be much high if you consider the world as a whole. Fortunately, thyroid conditions are treatable. They can be tricky to diagnose since the symptoms tend to be subtle and can easily be mistaken for symptoms of other health disorders.
Change In Sleep Patterns
You’ve been a deep sleeper but suddenly you can’t sleep well at night anymore. If you end up spending night after night in bed worrying about random things then you might have a problem.
Anxiety For No Reason
If you’re a person who does not get flustered too easily but is now getting worried and anxious about every single thing in your life, then you are either becoming more mature OR suffering from a thyroid problem. While the former reason is quite natural, the latter should be tended to immediately. Though it is only human nature to feel worried about certain things in life, constant worrying can even cause you to slip into anxiety or depression.
Change In Bowel Habits
This usually happens when your thyroid is under-active. Frequent bouts of constipation is a sign of an under-active thyroid, while an overactive thyroid will not affect your bowel movements. If you notice a sudden change in your bowel movement even though you haven’t altered your eating patterns, then there is a chance that your thyroid gland requires medical attention.
Thinning Of Your Hair
Uneven hair growth is a major dilemma faced by many women who suffer from a faulty thyroid. This can particularly affect their eyebrows. An under-active or overactive thyroid could affect your hair’s growth cycle. This causes a small portion of your hair to stay stunted while the rest of your hair grows, making your scalp look bearer. Hair loss too is a symptom that can harrow women who face thyroid problems as the lack of hormones would make the hair strands weak and brittle.
Sweating At Random Times
Sweating during untimely hours or excessive sweating when you shouldn’t show signs of a hyperactive thyroid. The higher than normal hormone levels can rev up your metabolism, making you feel overly warm and exhausted. This could also end up making you feel tired and dehydrated. If you get the feeling that you are sweating more than usual then it is advised that you look into the matter more closely.
A Surprising Weight Gain
If you feel that you have packed some unnecessary pounds though you haven’t altered your eating habits, then maybe your thyroid is at fault. When you have an under-active thyroid, your hormone levels would fall quickly, causing your metabolism to go down. Low metabolism would slow down your body from burning calories, thus causing you to gain weight quickly.
Sudden Loss Of Weight
Just like weight gain, a sudden cut down on your weight is another prominent symptom of thyroid disorder. An overactive thyroid would secret more hormones, causing your metabolism to shoot up, thus allowing your body to burn calories faster. While this might sound like a good side effect, it definitely is not. If you’re able to squeeze into smaller clothes without any diet or exercise, you better get your thyroid checked.
Brain Fog
Do you often experience episodes where you can’t think straight or forget basic stuff like your date of birth? Your brain doesn’t work right when your thyroid doesn’t, leading to a fuzzy brain. Subtle loss of memory and overall mental fatigue are some of the signs that should never be overlooked. Get your thyroid levels checked immediately if you’re ever experiencing these symptoms.
A Gush Of Too Much Energy
An overactive thyroid could also end up pumping you with sudden energy, speeding your body up without your knowledge. In such instances, you will feel restless and strangely charged; like you’ve had too much caffeine even when you’re relaxed. Too much of anything is not good for you, not even energy. Consult your doctor to find out what’s really going on in your body when you experience such inexplicable symptoms.
Craving For An Afternoon Nap
If you are a person who is not used to taking naps but suddenly feels the need to take them every day, then it might be a sign that your body hosting an unhealthy thyroid gland. Heightened tiredness you experience during day time could be a sign of an under-active thyroid gland. Your body depends on the thyroid hormones to produce energy, a lack of which could cause your body to run out of energy quickly.
