Signs And Symptoms Of Thyroid Problems

How To Know If You Have Thyroid Problems?

 Diagnosing thyroid problems This article offers an overview of how to know if you have thyroid problems by describing the signs and symptoms of thyroid problems. Diagnosing thyroid problems involves a number of tools, including a clinical evaluation, thyroid blood tests, imaging tests, biopsies, and other tests.

A clinical evaluation by your doctor is usually the first step in diagnosing thyroid problems. He or she will feel your neck (the area where your thyroid is located) and listen with a stethoscope. A general examination of your face, hair, skin, nails, eyes and hands will follow. Signs and symptoms of thyroid problems can appear in all these areas. Heart rate and rhythm, temperature, weight, and reflexes are other factors to consider.

Before offering specifics on how to know if you have thyroid problems, it might be a good idea to quickly review some basic information about the thyroid itself.

The thyroid is an important endocrine gland found in the throat region at approximately the top of the shoulders. It has several lobes in a butterfly shape that look somewhat like a shield. In fact, the word "thyroid" derives from the Greek word for shield.

The thyroid is one of the largest endocrine glands in the body. It controls or affects multiple functions, including

• how quickly the body burns energy,
• the body's sensitivity to other hormones,
• regulating metabolism and metabolic processes, and
• making proteins.

The thyroid also affects growth and the rate of function of many other systems. For more information on how to know if you have thyroid problems, click on effects of thyroid problems.

Signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism Hyperthyroidism, which is often called overactive thyroid or high thyroid, occurs when too much thyroid hormone is produced, Several different causes of hyperthyroidism exist, but the signs and symptoms of this thyroid problem are generally the same.

• Bowel movements may become more frequent
• Difficulty sleeping
• General muscular weakness, which is especially felt in the upper arms and thighs
• Increased sweating
• Irritability
• Menstrual periods may be lighter and less frequent
• Moments of extreme anxiety, even panic disorder
• Nervousness or feeling tense for no reason
• Racing heart, heart palpitations
• Shaky hands
• Thin brittle hair
• Thinning of skin
• Unexpected weight loss despite a good appetite

Signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism This thyroid problem is also called underactive thyroid or low thyroid. This condition occurs when the thyroid gland doesn't make enough thyroid hormone. The most common form of hypothyroidism is autoimmune or Hashimoto thyroid disease, in which the immune system attacks the thyroid gland.

Hypothyroidism signs and symptoms include

• Constipation
• Decreased taste and smell
• Depression
• Difficulty concentrating
• Exhaustion, unusual fatigue or general lack of energy or sluggishness
• General feeling of weakness
• Heavier or more frequent menstrual periods
• Hoarseness
• Infertility/miscarriage
• Joint pain
• Muscle cramps or musclar pain
• Paleness or dry skin
• Puffy face, hands, and feet
• Slow speech
• Thickening of the skin
• Thin, brittle hair or fingernails
• Thinning of eyebrows
• Unexplained or excessive weight gain
• Unusual sensitivity to cold

Signs and symptoms of thyroid cancer The early stages of thyroid cancer usually produce no signs or symptoms. But as thyroid cancer progresses, a small lump or nodule grows in the neck. Most often, such a lump is a benign nodule (see below). But about one per cent are cancerous.

Common thyroid cancer signs and symptoms include:

• Breathing difficulty
• Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck
• Hoarseness
• Pain in the throat and/or neck area
• Problems with swallowing

Keep in mind, these symptoms can also be caused by infections and other benign conditions. Only your medical professional can determine if a lump is cancerous.

Signs and symptoms of thyroid nodules Thyroid nodules are relatively common, and as noted above, are generally benign. A nodule can be a solid or liquid filled cyst or lumpy mass.

Many people have no obvious signs or symptoms of this thyroid problem at all. But among those who do, nodule symptoms vary. Some present like hyperthyroidism symptoms - anxiety, insomnia, palpitations, tremors and weight loss. Others present more like hypothyroidism symptoms: especially depression, fatigue, and weight gain. Some nodules cause symptoms that present like hyperthyroidism at some times and hypothyroidism at others.

Other signs might include pain or pressure in the neck, neck tenderness, difficulty swallowing, a feeling of fullness, and hoarseness.

Signs and symptoms of goiter or enlarged thyroid "Goiter" is a commonly used word describing an enlargement of the thyroid gland. It's possible for the thyroid to become large enough to look like a lump or growth in the neck area.

Signs and symptoms of goiter might include:

• Tenderness in the neck area when touched.
• Labored breathing, hoarseness, shortness of breath or chronic coughing: an enlarged thyroid can also press on your windpipe
• Difficulty swallowing because the goiter is placing pressure on the esophagus, It may also cause a sensation that food has become stuck on the way to the stomach.
• A feeling of fullness in the neck. Someone with an enlarged thyroid might be hesitant to wear turtlenecks or neckties.