13 Silent Signs of a Thyroid Problem
The thyroid, a butterfly-shaped gland in the neck, produces hormones essential for metabolism and brain activity. Symptoms of a thyroid problem are often vague, but if you notice any of the following signs persisting, or have more than one, endocrinologists recommend seeing a doctor to request a simple blood test to gauge your hormone levels.
Sleep changes
If you've always been a good sleeper but suddenly can't snooze through the night, it could signal a thyroid problem. An overactive thyroid pumps out certain hormones (triiodothyronine, known as T3, and thyroxine, known as T4) in excess, which can overstimulate the central nervous system and lead to insomnia, says Hossein Gharib, MD, a Mayo Clinic endocrinologist.
On the flip side, if you still feel still tired after a full night's sleep, or the need to sleep more than usual, you might have an underactive thyroid, in which your body doesn't produce enough hormones.
Out-of-nowhere anxiety
If youâve never struggled with anxiety but start to feel consistently anxious or unsettled, your thyroid might be hyperactive. Too many thyroid hormones often cause patients to feel jittery or anxious unrelated to anything specific, says Ashita Gupta, MD, an endocrinologist at Mount Sinai Roosevelt Hospital in New York City. âThereâs more brain stimulation so it excites you to the point where you donât feel good about it,â says Dr. Gupta.
Changes in bowel habits
Thinning hair
Sweating at random times
Excessive sweating when youâre not exerting yourself is a common sign of a hyperactive thyroid. âThe thyroid regulates the bodyâs energy production. Higher than normal hormone levels mean your metabolism is revved up, which causes people to feel overly warm,â says Dr. Gupta.
Clothes that fit tighter than usual
If your jeans feel snug but you swear you havenât changed your eating or exercise habits, an underactive thyroid might be to blame. âLack of hormones decreases metabolism and calorie burning, so you may see gradual but unexplained weight gain,â says Dr. Gharib.
Feeling ravenous but not gaining weight
Brain fog
When your thyroid isnât working right, neither is your brain. With an underactive thyroid, some people report feeling a âbrain fog,â says Dr. Gupta. Others report experiencing subtle memory loss (such as that âitâs on the tip of my tongue!â feeling), or overall mental fatigue. An overactive thyroid can make it difficult to concentrate.
Too much energy (like you've guzzled 5 cups of coffee)
Craving an afternoon nap every day
Daytime tiredness or the urge to nap can be signs of an underactive thyroid. âThe body needs these thyroid hormones to produce energy,â says Dr. Gharib.
Out-of-wack periods
If your periods become heavier, longer, or occur closer together, your thyroid might not be producing enough hormones. But if your periods get lighter or occur further apart, an overactive thyroid might be producing too many hormones.
Infertility or miscarriage
Developmental delays in children
Thyroid problems often manifest even more silently in children, says Dr. Gupta, because kids wonât always be able to express their symptoms. âIf you notice that they are growing significantly slower than their peers, complaining about muscles soreness, or if teachers say theyâre jumpy and unfocused, that could be a sign that they have low hormone levels, which can affect their development,â says Dr. Gupta.
How to treat a thyroid problem
Overactive and underactive thyroid problems are both easily treated.
If your thyroid is overactive: Doctors typically prescribe anti-thyroid medication that slows down the production and release of T4 and T3 hormones. Once hormone levels are balanced, patients can eventually stop taking the medicine, says Dr. Gharib. However, if hyperthyroidism is ignored and left untreated, sometimes surgery to remove some or all of the gland is required, according to the Mayo Clinic.
If your thyroid is underactive: This typically requires lifelong treatment with a synthetic thyroid hormone called levothyroxine. The oral medication restores hormone levels and helps reverse symptoms such as weight gain, fatigue, brain fog, and constipation.
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