| One of the problems many people have with looking | | | | moments,' in which case, the problem remains |
| for symptoms of thyroid problems, of course, is that | | | | undiagnosed for longer. |
| very few of them appear to have any connection at | | | | Exactly the same preconception often occurs with the |
| all with the thyroid itself. Only those people whose | | | | more physical problems of muscle and joint pains, |
| thyroid is actually swollen and perhaps causing | | | | sudden onsets of tendonitis and feeling constantly tired |
| breathing difficulties will link what they are experiencing | | | | even after a good night's sleep. The danger of simply |
| to the small butterfly shaped gland itself. | | | | putting these things down to age is that the longer the |
| Combine this with the very different symptoms | | | | problem remains undiagnosed, the more severe it is |
| associated with an overactive and an underactive | | | | likely to become. |
| thyroid and the situation becomes even more clouded. | | | | Other possible indicators that a person could have an |
| However, undiagnosed thyroid problems can often | | | | underactive thyroid include heavier and more frequent |
| lead to quite dramatic complications so it is vital that | | | | and painful periods; changes in the condition of your |
| the various symptoms are recognised and, more | | | | hair and skin; a slower than usual heart beat; severe |
| importantly, acted upon. | | | | constipation; the development of a more hoarse voice; |
| If it continues to be undiagnosed, and therefore | | | | and sometimes an increasing tendency to feel cold at |
| untreated, an underactive thyroid, hypothyroidism can | | | | times when others do not. |
| significantly increase a person's chances of suffering | | | | When the thyroid becomes overactive |
| from heart disease or depression. In addition, obesity is | | | | (hyperthyroidism) and the rate of the body's |
| far more common and difficult to counter. In | | | | metabolism speeds up as opposed to slows down, the |
| hypothyroidism, the thyroid has become underactive | | | | following symptoms might be noticeable. |
| and consequently the rate of the body's metabolism | | | | From a psychological point of view you might find |
| has slowed down; the slower the metabolism | | | | increased difficulty in concentrating on things, or suffer |
| becomes, the more pronounced the symptoms. | | | | from unexpected mood swings, even perhaps panic |
| The following symptoms will not be experienced by all | | | | attacks. Physically, you could notice a rapid, or perhaps |
| sufferers; but they are some of the indicators that | | | | irregular, heartbeat. You might sweat excessively or |
| there might be a problem with an underactive thyroid. | | | | your hands might start to tremble unaccountably. You |
| First of all, if you experience difficulty in losing weight or | | | | might have shorter, lighter periods; suffer from |
| are actually gaining weight and all attempts to remedy | | | | diarrhoea or irritable bowel syndrome; experience |
| the situation with diet, exercise and so on are proving | | | | severe hair loss; insomnia which means you feel tired |
| fruitless, this can be a significant sign of hypothyroidism. | | | | and lack energy during the day; irritated or puffy eyes |
| In a similar way, it could be that, without any change in | | | | - often the onset of Grave's disease; or, very |
| your lifestyle, your weight begins to fluctuate | | | | significantly, you could suffer from weight loss despite |
| significantly - either up or down. This can be very | | | | having what you consider to be an increased appetite. |
| disconcerting but is quite a common symptom. | | | | Finally, it is known that having a family history of thyroid |
| Unexplained depressive moodswings or random | | | | problems is going to put people at a higher risk of |
| memory lapses and forgetfulness are also quite | | | | themselves developing the condition. |
| common. The tendency here, as with many symptoms | | | | Suffering from some of the above symptoms of |
| of thyroid problems, is to just blame things on the | | | | thyroid problems should initiate a visit to the doctor for |
| ageing process and treat them as inevitable 'senior | | | | a thorough diagnosis. |