The thyroid is a gland lying on the front of the neck below the voice box that plays a vital role in the endocrine system. It secretes hormones that are responsible for helping to regulate a number of critical body functions. The thyroid can stop working properly due to genetic defects, autoimmune diseases, imbalances in iodine or as a result of medication side effects. If you experience any of the following symptoms of thyroid dysfunction, contact your doctor for testing.
Common Overactive Thyroid Symptoms
An overactive thyroid gland produces too many hormones, causing a condition known as hyperthyroidism. Symptoms of an overactive thyroid include trembling hands, increased sweating, intolerance to heat, fatigue, diarrhea or frequent bowel movements, anxiety, restlessness, increased appetite, difficulty concentrating, flushed skin, rash or hives, menstrual irregularities, irritated eyes and vision disturbances and infertility. According to the Mayo Clinic, you should see your doctor if you experience these and additional symptoms that include sudden weight loss that occurs in spite of a normal or heightened appetite, pounding, rapid or irregular heartbeat, muscle weakness, problems sleeping or nervousness and irritability.
Common Underactive Thyroid Symptoms
When the thyroid gland fails to produce enough hormones, a condition called hypothyroidism develops. Like hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism can be dangerous, so if you are experiencing any of these symptoms, contact your physician. According to The Hormone Foundation, common underactive thyroid symptoms include fatigue, depression, sluggishness, dry hair and skin, brittle nails, skin that is cold to the touch or pale, lowered body temperature or sensitivity to cold, constipation and menstrual irregularities.
Severe hypothyroidism can lead to a condition called myxedema which can trigger loss of consciousness, life-threatening decreases in body temperature and coma.
Symptoms of Thyroid Nodules
Some people with thyroid problems can develop thyroid nodules--solid or fluid-filled lumps that form on the thyroid gland. According to the Mayo Clinic, many people with thyroid nodules do not experience any symptoms; however, the nodules may become large enough that you can feel them or see swelling at the base of your neck. If the nodules cause the thyroid gland to produce excess thyroxine hormone, you may experience some symptoms similar to hyperthyroidism such as unexplained, rapid weight loss, a fast or irregular heartbeat and nervousness or shaking.
Other Serious Symptoms
Rarely, thyroid nodules can become cancerous. If you notice a nodule that feels very hard and has grown quickly, have trouble swallowing or breathing or can feel enlarged lymph nodes under your jaw or neck, you should see your doctor for evaluation.
Thyroiditis, or an inflammation of the thyroid gland, can cause a number of problems that result in symptoms of either hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, according to The American Thyroid Association. For example, Hashimoto's thyroditis (an autoimmune thyroid disease) and postpartum thyroiditis (a thyroid disease that develops after pregnancy) can both cause symptoms of fatigue, weight gain, constipation, dry skin, depression and poor exercise tolerance that are often found in hypothyroidism. In other cases, thyroiditis may result in acute thyroid cell damage, causing a release of thyroid hormones into the blood that leads to thyrotoxicosis, or extreme overactivity of the thyroid gland that causes symptoms similar to hyperthyroidism.
