Millions of people suffer from thyroid disorders without realizing it. The symptoms are often vague, subtle, and easy to dismiss as stress or aging.
But ignoring the signs could lead to serious consequences for your heart, bones, brain, and overall well-being.
Here are some warning signals experts say you should pay attention to.
Trouble sleeping through the night
If you’re exhausted but still tossing and turning at night, it might not just be stress.
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An overactive thyroid can keep your body’s internal engine revving, making it difficult to relax or stay asleep.
Unexplained anxiety or irritability
A sudden rise in mood swings, anxiety, or irritability without an obvious reason could be a sign of hormonal imbalance caused by thyroid dysfunction.
These hormones play a crucial role in mental stability and emotional health.
Shaky hands or subtle tremors
Noticing a slight shake in your hands, especially when holding small objects like a coffee cup?
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This early warning sign is commonly linked to hyperthyroidism and often goes overlooked.
Weight changes without lifestyle changes
If you’re losing or gaining weight without changing your diet or activity level, your thyroid might be the culprit.
Both hyper- and hypothyroidism can significantly impact your metabolism.
Feeling too hot or too cold
Sensitivity to temperature is another major red flag.
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If you're always cold while others are comfortable or constantly overheated and sweaty, it could be due to disrupted hormone regulation.
Heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat
Thyroid hormones help regulate your heartbeat. An imbalance can cause noticeable palpitations or arrhythmias that may become dangerous over time if untreated.
Constant fatigue and muscle weakness
Fatigue despite a full night’s sleep? Weakness in your arms or legs for no clear reason?
Both are common symptoms of thyroid dysfunction, which affects energy levels at the cellular level.
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Brain fog and memory problems
If you’re feeling mentally slow, forgetful, or having trouble concentrating, don’t write it off as aging.
Subtle thyroid changes can erode brain function long before a diagnosis is made.
Swelling or lumps in the neck
A swollen area at the base of your neck may indicate an enlarged thyroid or nodules.
These are not always painful but are a strong signal that something may be wrong with the gland.
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Puffy or bulging eyes
Changes in the eyes, like puffiness, bulging, or blurred vision, can be signs of Graves’ disease, an autoimmune condition affecting the thyroid.
Eye issues often appear before other symptoms.
This article is based on information from National Geographic.