You probably know the feeling of a pounding heart before a big meeting, or shaky hands after one too many coffees.
Most of us put signs like these down to stress, poor sleep or just a hectic week.
Sometimes, though, the real cause sits in a small, butterfly-shaped gland at the base of the neck. When the thyroid starts making too much hormone, the whole body speeds up.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, about 1 in 100 Americans aged 12 and older have hyperthyroidism. The symptoms are often brushed off as anxiety, chronic stress or simply getting older.
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8 symptoms that may point to an overactive thyroid
1. Unexplained weight loss despite a strong appetite. The sped-up metabolism burns through calories faster than you can eat, so the number on the scale drops even when meals feel bigger than usual.
2. A racing or irregular heartbeat. The heart may feel like it is pounding, skipping beats or beating too fast, even when you are sitting still.
3. Nervousness and irritability. A constant, hard-to-shake restlessness is one of the most common signs, and the one most often mistaken for anxiety.
4. Trouble sleeping. Falling asleep becomes difficult, and nights feel short and shallow even when the day was tiring.
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5. Trembling hands. A fine, visible shake in the fingers, often clearest when the hands are held out flat.
6. Sweating and heat intolerance. You feel warm when others feel comfortable, and sweat more than the room temperature calls for.
7. Muscle weakness and fatigue. Climbing stairs or lifting bags feels heavier than it should, especially in the thighs and upper arms.
8. Frequent bowel movements. The digestive system runs faster too, so bathroom trips come more often than usual.
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The American Thyroid Association lists an almost identical cluster, adding hair loss and, in some cases, eye pain or bulging as extra signs.
Why older adults are often missed
In people over 60, hyperthyroidism can look completely different from the hyperactive picture seen in younger adults. The NIDDK notes that older adults may lose their appetite or withdraw from other people, and the condition is sometimes mistaken for depression or dementia.
That makes it easier to miss, and more dangerous. Untreated overactive thyroid can quietly damage the heart and bones over months and years.
When to talk to a doctor
A single symptom on its own usually points elsewhere. The warning sign is a cluster that lingers for weeks.
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A persistent racing heart, weight loss, trembling and sleep problems that build up and do not match the usual stress in your life all point in the same direction. Blood tests measuring thyroid hormones can usually settle the question quickly.
Left untreated, hyperthyroidism can lead to an irregular heartbeat that raises the risk of blood clots, stroke and heart failure, and it can thin the bones over time. If the symptoms sound familiar, a conversation with a primary care doctor is the first concrete step.
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This article is made and published by Ida-Marie Palm Varbæk, who may have used AI in the preparation.