19 Warning Signs of Thyroid Problems You Shouldn’t Ignore

Feeling tired all the time? Struggling with unexplained weight gain or loss? Your thyroid might be the reason. This small butterfly-shaped gland plays a big role in your energy, metabolism, mood, and more. But when it goes out of balance, the symptoms are often subtle and may be easy to miss or mistaken for other health conditions.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through 19 signs of thyroid problems you should never ignore. You’ll also learn about common causes, how to check for thyroid issues at home, and what treatments are available.

Let’s begin with understanding what thyroid problems actually are.

Understanding Thyroid Problems

Thyroid problems usually fall into two categories:

• Hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid gland that produces too few thyroid hormones)

• Hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid gland that produces too much thyroid hormone)

Other common thyroid issues may include:

• Goiter (enlarged thyroid gland)

• Thyroid nodules (growths or lumps), and

• Thyroid cancer.

When the thyroid gland doesn't release the right amount of hormones, it can impact nearly every body system. This often results in symptoms that develop slowly and are easy to misinterpret. That’s why early identification and diagnosis are crucial for effective treatment.

19 Clear Signs of Thyroid Problems

For some individuals, the symptoms can be mild, while for others, they might be severe. 

Don’t ignore these 19 potential warning signs:

1. Fatigue

• Feeling exhausted even after a full night’s sleep may point to hypothyroidism.

• Low thyroid hormone slows your metabolism, draining your energy.

2. Unexplained Weight Changes

• If you gain weight despite normal dietary habits, it can be due to hypothyroidism. On the other hand, research states that weight loss, even with increased appetite, can be associated with hyperthyroidism.

• Weight gain occurs as hypothyroidism slows metabolism while hyperthyroidism speeds up metabolism, causing weight loss. 

3. Mood Swings or Anxiety

• Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism both can lead to thyroid imbalances, which can affect mood.

• Hypothyroidism can lead to sadness, sluggishness, and depression, while hyperthyroidism is associated with anxiety, irritability, and nervousness.

4. Slow or Fast Heart Rate

• Hypothyroidism can lead to a slow heart rate due to a lack of thyroid hormones, which slows down the heart rhythm.

• On the other hand, hyperthyroidism can cause a fast heart rate because of high levels of thyroid hormone that trigger the heart, causing palpitations or a pounding effect.

5. Sensitivity to Heat or Cold

• Hyperthyroidism can lead to overheating or excessive sweating because of high thyroid hormone levels, which increase metabolism and heat production.

• Contrarily, hypothyroidism can make you feel cold every time because of decreased metabolism and heat production.

6. Hair Thinning/Hair Loss

• Hypothyroidism can slow down hair growth due to enough thyroid hormones, which causes excessive hair to enter the resting phase and fall out. This leads to hair thinning.

• Hyperthyroidism releases excessive thyroid hormones, which can increase hair growth, causing hairs to enter the resting phase before their time, leading to fast hair loss.

7. Dry or Itchy Skin

• Hypothyroidism slows down the metabolism of the body, which affects the production of oil and moisture in the skin, leading to dryness.

• Hyperthyroidism increases thyroid hormones speed up cell growth and blood flow, leading to itchiness. 

8. Constipation or Diarrhea

• As in hypothyroidism, metabolism and digestive processes become slow, which restricts the movement of stools through the colon, causing constipation.

• In hyperthyroidism, metabolism and the digestive process become faster, which leads to rapid bowel movements, resulting in diarrhea. 

9. Irregular Menstrual Cycles

• A study reports that hypothyroidism results in lower thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) levels, leading to heavy, prolonged, or missed periods.

• Hyperthyroidism contributes to excessive production of thyroid hormones, which impacts the menstrual cycle and leads to lighter, less frequent periods or absent periods.

10. Puffy Face

• Hypothyroidism can lead to reduced levels of thyroid hormones, which impact the metabolism of sugar compounds like glycosaminoglycans.

• This leads to the accumulation of glycosaminoglycans in the skin, which draws and retains water, resulting in a puffy face, especially around the cheeks and eyes.

11. Hoarseness or Voice Changes

• Hypothyroidism can lead to inflammation or fluid accumulation, which can affect the vocal cords, making it tough to produce a clear and strong voice.

• Hyperthyroidism increases muscle tension in the vocal cords, which causes a higher-pitched, shaky voice. 

12. Neck Swelling or Goiter

• The thyroid issues can cause neck swelling, especially due to an enlarged thyroid gland, a condition called goiter.

• This enlargement occurs due to iodine deficiency, autoimmune disorders (e.g., Graves' disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis), and thyroid nodules.

13. Muscle Weakness or Cramps

• As hypothyroidism can decrease thyroid hormone levels, it can affect muscle metabolism, which leads to muscle cramps, fatigue, and weakness.

• On the other hand, hyperthyroidism results in overproduction of thyroid hormones, which contributes to muscle breakdown and weakness. Sometimes, it leads to severe conditions, which are known as hyperthyroid myopathy. 

14. Trouble Sleeping

• Due to increased thyroid hormones, hyperthyroidism can cause high anxiety or nervousness, frequent urination, and night sweats, which makes it challenging to fall asleep.

• Due to low thyroid hormones, hypothyroidism can cause excessive daytime sleepiness and fatigue, impaired slow-wave sleep, and sleep apnea, leading to frequent naps and difficulty waking up.

15. Poor Memory or Brain Fog

• Hypothyroidism slows down brain function and causes brain fog, which is a feeling of difficulty concentrating, mental fatigue, and memory lapses.

• Hyperthyroidism can lead to cognitive problems like memory issues, slower reaction times, and poor concentration.

16. Changes in Appetite

• By increasing metabolism, hyperthyroidism can lead to increased appetite, as the body burns calories much faster, even when at rest.

• Conversely, by decreasing metabolism, hypothyroidism lowers hunger, as the body slowly burns calories. 

17. Sexual Dysfunction

• Hypothyroidism can interrupt the production and regulation of sex hormones such as testosterone, leading to erectile dysfunction in males, low libido, and vaginal dryness and discomfort during sexual intercourse in females. 

• Hyperthyroidism can increase sex hormone-binding globulin, which attaches to testosterone and reduces its amount, affecting erectile function and libido. 

18. Changes in Skin Texture

• Hyperthyroidism can lead to warm, flushed, sweaty, or itchy skin because of excessive blood flow and increased metabolism.

• Hypothyroidism, on the other hand, can lead to dry, rough, pale, and scaly skin due to low oil production and slow skin cell turnover.

19. Dizziness and Balance Problems

• Thyroid imbalances can cause inflammation or changes in the endolymph (inner ear's fluid) flow, causing dizziness and disrupting balance.

• In addition, thyroid issues can impact brain function and circulation, which contributes to these symptoms.

How To Check Your Thyroid at Home

Try this simple neck check to spot swelling:

• Stand in front of a mirror and look at the area below your Adam's apple and above your collarbone.

• Tilt your head back.

• Take a sip of water and swallow.

• Watch for any bulges or swelling in the area as you swallow.

• Repeat a few times.

If you see any unusual swelling or feel a lump, schedule a checkup. A doctor can confirm with blood tests and imaging scans.

Causes of Thyroid Problems

Understanding the causes can help prevent thyroid issues before they cause complications. While not all causes can be prevented, understanding them helps with early detection and management:

• Iodine Deficiency

• Autoimmune Disorders, like Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Graves' Disease

• Thyroiditis (inflammation of the thyroid gland)

• Thyroid Nodules or Cancer

• Genetics (family history of thyroid disease)

• Medical Treatments like thyroid surgery, radiation Therapy, and certain medications.

• Pregnancy

• Poor lifestyle choices, such as a lack of physical activity, a poor diet, or chronic stress

Treatment of Thyroid Issues

The treatment depends on the type of thyroid issue and the root cause.

For Hyperthyroidism:

The treatment includes:

• Antithyroid Medications: Example includes methimazole and propylthiouracil, which stop the thyroid from producing hormones.

• Radioactive Iodine Therapy: Destroys thyroid cells, which prevents them from producing excessive thyroid hormone.

• Beta-blockers: These medications manage anxiety and a fast heart rate, but do not impact the production of thyroid hormones directly.

• Surgery: In certain cases, the doctors may recommend surgery, like thyroidectomy, which involves the surgical removal of the thyroid gland. This will prevent it from producing hormones. But, you will have to take synthetic thyroid replacement hormones (in the form of pills) for lifelong.

For Hypothyroidism: 

The treatment includes Hormone Replacement Medication:

• Levothyroxine (synthetic thyroid hormone) is the main treatment that restores the hormones that the thyroid gland can't produce.

• It’s taken daily and typically for life, with dosage adjustments based on blood test results.

Are Thyroid Issues Preventable?

Some thyroid issues (like autoimmune-related ones) aren't preventable due to genetics or immune dysfunction. But you can reduce the risk of others, especially iodine-related ones, by:

• Consuming iodine-rich foods: Examples, iodized salt, seafood, dairy products, eggs, and sea vegetables.

• Taking supplements: If dietary intake is not enough, particularly for pregnant and breastfeeding women, iodine supplements can be helpful. Seek a doctor's guidance before starting the supplement.

Final Thoughts

Thyroid problems can impact almost every part of your health, and they often go unnoticed. By recognizing these 19 signs of thyroid problems early, you can take control and prevent long-term complications.

If something feels off, trust your gut. Get tested, stay informed, and talk to your doctor.
Early detection really can make all the difference.