The thyroid gland produces hormones that are critical to maintaining normal body functions. Every part of your body, down to the cellular level, is affected by the thyroid. From the heart rate, to muscle strength, to vision, to weight, to the condition of your skin, the thyroid is at work. Symptoms of a bad thyroid are varied and often misdiagnosed in conjunction with other disease processes. The only certain way to diagnose a thyroid condition is with TSH blood tests.
Hypothyroidism Symptoms
Hypothyroidism is when your thyroid gland can't produce enough thyroid hormone to promote normal body function. The body processes start to slow down. Your body doesn't heat as well, leaving you feeling colder than usual. You may notice dry skin and an increase in forgetfulness. Hypothyroidism is the most common cause of a bad thyroid, according to the American Thyroid Association.
Advanced Hypothyroidism
Myxedema is a rare, but life-threatening complication of advanced hypothyroidism. Look for symptoms such as low blood pressure, low body temperature, a decrease in breathing and unresponsiveness. If untreated, myxedema can be fatal, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Hashimoto's Thyroiditis
Hashimoto's thyroiditis is a result of the immune system attacking the thyroid gland and causing hypothyroidism. Symptoms include intolerance to cold, fatigue, menstrual irregularities, enlarged thyroid gland and mental dullness.
Hyperthyroid Symptoms
Hyperthyroid symptoms are the result of an overactive thyroid gland. Without a blood test, the diagnosis is easy to miss, because the symptoms are common to many other disease processes. Rapid heart rate, difficulty sleeping, muscular weakness, weight loss, anxiety and hair thinning are some of the more common symptoms.
Grave's Disease
One of the most common results of a bad thyroid gland that produces excessive thyroid hormones is Grave's disease. , symptoms include an enlarged thyroid gland, sometimes called a goiter, and bulging, swollen eyes. Grave's disease is more common in women between the ages of 20 and 40 years old, according to The Hormone Foundation.
Thyroid Cancer
Thyroid cancer begins as a small growth within the thyroid, according to Merck Manuals. While most nodules are noncancerous, a malignant nodule tends to be solid rather than fluid and grows quickly. The first symptom is usually a painless lump in the neck. According to EndocrineWeb, 70 to 80 percent of all thyroid cancers are papillary cancer.
Pregnancy
Hypothyroidism can cause difficulty becoming pregnant with symptoms of missed or heavy periods. Once pregnancy has occurred, some of the symptoms of hypothyroidism are the same as for pregnancy---fatigue and weight gain. Only a TSH blood level will show if the source is a bad thyroid.
