19 Unobvious Symptoms of Thyroid Problems

A global survey by the German science and technology company Merck issued an important warning: most women with thyroid dysfunctions are unaware that the symptoms of these problems are linked to the gland. Most confuse these signs with the effects of everyday stress.

With that in mind, Merck created a booklet with the main changes that hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (a lot of hormone release) cause in appearance, body and disposition. Check out:

in appearance

1. Weight

Those extra pounds you gained are not always the fault of your diet. An underactive thyroid can be responsible for making the scale pointer increase by up to 4 kilos! On the other hand, if you’re losing weight despite eating well, it could be a consequence of an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).

2. Skin

Low thyroid hormone production can be behind dry, cracked skin, you know?

3. Sweat

Sweating more than normal can be a result of an overactive thyroid. Other effects of hyperthyroidism are flushing and feeling hot.

4. Hair

Are your strands more brittle and dry than usual? Suspect the thyroid! Both hypo and hyperthyroidism result in hair loss. In the case of the sluggish gland, even eyebrows and eyelashes can be damaged.

5. Nails

When it produces low amounts of hormones, the thyroid causes the nails to become brittle and flaky.

6. Eyes

Did you know that people with thyroid disorders can experience dry and gritty eyes? Yeah, the cause isn’t always the many hours looking at the cell phone or computer screen.

in motivation

7. Excessive tiredness

Hypothyroidism also causes excessive tiredness. People who suffer from the opposite problem initially have a lot of energy, but over time they can also feel tired due to hyperactivity.

8. Difficulty sleeping

Insomnia is not always associated with changing jobs or family problems. Yes, the thyroid is also responsible for this evil. Worth investigating.

9. Low concentration and memory problems

These two situations may be caused by an underactive thyroid. Already accelerated thinking and hyperactivity are symptoms of hyperthyroidism. Stay tuned!

10. Lack of motivation

Low levels of thyroid hormone make it harder to perform everyday tasks and even exercise.

11. Temperature sensitivity

If you are always cold when others are hot, it could be due to hypothyroidism. Increased heat sensitivity, on the other hand, is a symptom of hyperthyroidism, which makes you feel hot and flushed.

12. Sexual desire

An underactive thyroid can be the cause of your or your partner’s decreased libido. But if you feel that your sexual appetite is above normal, beware: hyperthyroidism could be the reason.

13. Depression and anxiety

Depression is a consequence of hypothyroidism, while anxiety can be to blame for either an overactive or underactive thyroid.

14. Irritability

You may think that you’re irritable because you’re stressed, tired, or have a lot of work, and that this is normal in everyday life. But beware: feeling irritable is a known symptom of both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.

in the organism

15. Ears

Even hearing is lost when the thyroid produces little hormone. Noise and deafness are the main consequences of hypothyroidism.

16. Digestive system

Digestive problems like constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, and gas can be caused by a thyroid in sluggish operating mode. When the gland is very accelerated, trips to the bathroom become more frequent.

17. Heart

Do you often have palpitations? It’s not just stress, running around or drinking too much coffee that’s behind a racing heart – hyperthyroidism too!

18. Muscles and joints

Muscle aches and weakness are even normal after heavy activities, but be aware if you start to feel this discomfort in situations that this does not usually happen – it could be the thyroid working too hard. Other consequences are joint stiffness, muscle cramps and weakness.

19. Menstrual cycle

Hypothyroidism tends to make your flow very heavy or even stop. If you notice any of these changes, investigate the neck gland!