4 signs that there might be something wrong with your thyroid
Your body is trying to tell you something is wrong with your thyroid!
The thyroid, a butterfly-shaped gland in front of your neck, is responsible for producing hormones that regulate the body’s metabolic rate. If you suspect a thyroid disorder, here are some signs you should look out for:
- Your energy levels change. If you constantly feel fatigued even after getting seven to eight hours of uninterrupted sleep at night, you may have an underactive thyroid. However, if you find yourself always restless and irritable, your thyroid levels may be too high.
- You have unintentional weight loss or gain. Your thyroid produces hormones that affect the metabolic rate. Too much hormones will increase the metabolic rate and hence use up more calories and this may lead to weight loss. On the other hand, underproduction of thyroid hormones lead to a lower metabolic rate. Less calories are burnt and this may lead to weight gain.
- You have a swelling in the front of your neck. This might be due to enlargement of the thyroid itself due to the conditions discussed in this article or the presence of lump(s), both of which require further investigation by a doctor.
- You experience sudden hair loss or dry skin. A thyroid disorder means that your thyroid is not producing hormones at the normal rate. This leads to sudden hair loss as your hair follicles start to malfunction. Your skin will also become uncharacteristically dry and you might experience skin problems such as edema or dermatitis.
Article by
Dr Vivien Lim, Endocrinologist at Gleneagles Hospital.
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