As a 35-year thyroid cancer survivor, I know the importance the thyroid plays in our lives, and what it is like to live without one. Let me start by sharing some important statistics with you:
The World Health Organization estimates that 750 million people in the world have some form of thyroid disease.
The ATA say that as many as 60% are undiagnosed
Around 8 times more women are affected than men, with key triggers being puberty, pregnancy and the menopause.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism include:
- Tiredness/fatigue
- Sensitivity to cold/heat
- Weight gain and inability to lose weight
- Constipation and/or wind often
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Slow movements, speech and thoughts
- Itchy and/or sore scalp
- Muscle aches, pains and weakness
- Muscle cramps
- Poor appetite
- Dry and tight feeling skin
- Brittle hair and nails
- Loss of libido (sex drive)
- Pain, numbness
- Numbness in limbs
- irregular periods or heavy periods
- Brain fog/confusion/memory problems
- Migraines
- Hoarse voice
- A puffy-looking face
- Thinned or partly missing eyebrows
- A slow heart rate or one that increases more so than a healthy person’s, after physical activity (e.g. after walking up the stairs or emptying the washing machine)
- Hearing loss
- Anaemia
- Poor stamina
- Feeling weak
- The need to nap more than others
- Long recovery period after any activity
- Arms feeling like dead weights after activity
- Inability to exercise, or withstand certain exercises
- Diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Being overly emotional
- Poor circulation
- High or rising cholesterol
- Acid reflux
- Hair loss
- Easy bruising
- Swollen legs that impede walking
- Joint stiffness and pain
- Fertility issues
And symptoms of hyperthyroidism include:
- Increased sweating
- Anxiety
- Oversensitivity to heat
- Palpitations
- Diarrhoea
- Increased appetite
- Weight loss
- Dry, thin skin
- Hair loss
- Shakiness/trembling
- Fatigue
- Change in sex drive
- Larger eyes
- Mood changes
- Nervousness
- Insomnia
- Dry or gritty eyes
- Double vision
- Weak, less define muscles
- Aches and pains
- Changes to menstrual cycle
- Infertility or problems conceiving
While many of these symptoms can have more than one cause, it is important for you to be aware of them; particularly if you have multiple symptoms in either category. Make an appointment and talk to your doctor about your concerns. As with most health issues, when things are caught early the prognosis is usually much better!