The thyroid, a bow-tie shaped gland at the base of the neck, regulates the body's energy level, including heart rate and blood pressure. Many symptoms of a thyroid problem are so vague or odd that people have no idea something is wrong with their thyroid, reports EndocrineWeb.com. Some people suffer chiefly from just one unusual symptom, while others have several signs. A simple blood test is all that is needed to detect a malfunctioning thyroid.
Hair Changes
Hair loss or early graying are signs that a thyroid is underactive, reports EndocrineWeb.com and The Hormone Foundation. Brittle hair can be a sign of an overactive thyroid, according to MayoClinic.com.
Breast Enlargement in Men
According to the National Institutes of Health, breast enlargement in men can be a sign of Graves' disease, a thyroid disorder in which the immune system stimulates the thyroid by mistake, causing it to produce too much hormone.
Heat Intolerance
Reduced tolerance to heat is also a symptom of Graves' disease, reports MayoClinic.com, while intolerance of cold signifies an underactive thyroid. Many people simply do not connect their increased sensitivity to weather changes with a thyroid problem.
Erratic Behavior
Errative behavior may reflect a thyroid problem, typically production of too much or too little thyroid hormone, according to EndocrineWeb.com and the Hormone Foundation. Because there are many reasons for mood changes, people often remain unaware that nervousness or irritability can be caused by a malfunctioning thyroid.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea and frequent bowel movements are other unusual signs of a thyroid problem, reports The Hormone Foundation. These signify that the thyroid is overactive, while constipation may indicate the gland is underactive.
Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction in men is a sign that the thyroid is producing either too little or too much thyroid hormone, reports The Hormone Foundation.
