19 Signs of Thyroid Problems

Signs of thyroid problems vary depending on the cause. An overactive thyroid could make you sensitive to heat, cause weight loss, and lead to diarrhea. An underactive thyroid, on the other hand, could have you feeling sensitive to cold, gaining weight, and experiencing constipation.

Any of these and other thyroid symptoms could also be early warning signs of thyroid disease. Here are 19 possible signs of thyroid problems, what to know about some of the most common symptoms of thyroid diseases, and when to contact a medical provider.

Your thyroid—a small gland in your neck shaped like a butterfly—greatly impacts your body. It produces thyroid hormone (TH), which is responsible for keeping your metabolism, heartbeat, and more in check.

There are a few health conditions that are associated with the thyroid. These can include:

• Goiter, an enlargement of the thyroid gland
• Hyperthyroidism, an overactive thyroid that makes too much TH
• Hypothyroidism, an underactive thyroid that doesn’t make enough TH
• Thyroid cancer
• Thyroid nodules
• Thyroiditis (swelling of the thyroid)

TH controls many aspects of the human body. Therefore, thyroid diseases cause several different symptoms. Find out if any symptoms you are experiencing may be related to thyroid disease.

Remember that just because one of the following symptoms links to a thyroid disease does not mean you have one. In any case, it’s best to consult a healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis of thyroid disease.

A decline in cognitive function (i.e., brain fog) could be a symptom of thyroid issues. Brain fog can indicate hypothyroidism. It may cause symptoms like:

• Difficulty focusing
• Forgetfulness
• Low energy
• Sleepiness

Brain fog symptoms can even persist after your TH levels are stable at normal levels.

TH is one factor influencing appetite, and hyperthyroidism can increase your appetite. So, even though hyperthyroidism is typically associated with weight loss, you may gain weight due to increased appetite.

Still, appetite-related symptoms are not the same for everyone. For example, adults over 60 years old may lose their appetite instead of increasing it.

Your thyroid is closely connected to digestion. An overactive thyroid gland can cause frequent bowel movements or diarrhea.

An underactive thyroid can lead to constipation. When something disrupts the production of TH, that may cause your digestive processes to slow.

TH can regulate metabolism, so weight gain and weight loss are common symptoms of thyroid disease. Hypothyroidism typically causes weight gain. People tend to put on more weight when the thyroid is underactive because their metabolism is lower. However, extreme weight gain is rare in hypothyroidism.

In contrast, hyperthyroidism usually causes weight loss. This is because your metabolism is working at a high rate when your thyroid is overactive. The severity of weight loss relates to the severity of hyperthyroidism. If your thyroid is only slightly overactive, you likely won’t see as much weight loss as you would if it were extremely overactive.

How your thyroid gland is functioning affects how you perceive temperature.

One of the symptoms of hypothyroidism is trouble tolerating the cold. When an underactive thyroid slows down body systems, your cells may have less energy to burn. Less energy means less heat.

On the other end of the spectrum, an overactive thyroid puts energy-producing cells into overdrive. So, people with hyperthyroidism may have trouble tolerating heat.

Sleep disorders related to thyroid symptoms include insomnia, restless legs syndrome, and obstructive sleep apnea. A thyroid disorder that’s not treated can make these sleep problems worse.

Here’s how a thyroid that is not functioning properly is related to these common sleep problems:

• Insomnia: High levels of TH can give you problems falling asleep or staying asleep. Hyperthyroidism can also make conditions like anxiety and depression worse, which can also impact your sleep. Hypothyroidism isn’t directly related to insomnia but could affect your sleep quality by making other conditions worse. Being uncomfortable from severe muscle and joint pain caused by an underactive thyroid could make it difficult for you to get quality sleep.
• Obstructive sleep apnea: Many people with obstructive sleep apnea also have hypothyroidism, but how exactly these two conditions are related remains elusive.
• Restless legs syndrome: Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can both contribute to restless legs syndrome. Treating thyroid hormone levels may provide symptom relief.

Thyroid disease can cause several problems with your skin, nails, and hair.

Skin and nail symptoms may include:

• Brittle, dry, thick nails with ridges
• Changes in how quickly nails grow
• Curved swollen fingertip and thickening above the nail
• Deep lines on your palms and soles
• Discolored skin
• Dry, pale, or itchy skin
• Nails that peel, crumble, or break easily
• Protruding eyes
• Rashes, especially in skin creases
• Soft, shiny nails
• Slow-healing wounds
• Sweating less or more than before
• Widening nose

You also have a high risk of developing thyroid disease if you have skin conditions like vitiligo, hives, or alopecia areata.

Thyroid disease can affect the growth and texture of your hair. Hair symptoms may include:

• Coarse, dull, dry, and brittle hair that breaks off easily
• Changes in growth rate
• Hair loss and bald patches
• Itchy, dry scalp and dandruff
• Less hair in places like your arms and legs
• Soft and fine hair that sheds a lot
• Thinning or missing hair on the outer edge of your eyebrow

If you’re shedding more than usual, don’t freak out. Hair loss can happen for a variety of other reasons­­, like childbirth or overuse of hair products. See a healthcare provider to get help determining the cause.

Your thyroid is involved in numerous body functions, from breathing and heart rate to weight, digestion, and mood. When it’s out of whack, it’s no wonder that you may feel extra tired or lack energy.

Fatigue can be both a symptom of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. It can affect you mentally and physically. If you’re still tired in the morning or all day after a full night’s sleep, that’s a clue that your thyroid may be underactive or overactive.

Heart palpitations can feel like your heart is fluttering, skipping a beat or two, or beating too hard or quickly. You may notice those feelings in your chest or at pulse points in your throat or neck.

TH plays a role in heart function. For example, heart palpitations can signify too much TH flooding your system. Between 10% to 25% of people with hyperthyroidism have a rapid heartbeat.

Hypothyroidism can also cause different effects on the heart. With hypothyroidism, you may experience symptoms such as:

• Constricted blood vessels
• Fluid retention (causes swelling)
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol levels
• Slow heart rate

Heart failure may occur if those symptoms are left untreated.

A change in your voice or a lump in your throat could signify a thyroid disorder. A thyroid nodule is a lump that grows in the thyroid gland. Many thyroid nodules are benign (noncancerous), but some can be malignant (cancerous).

Your thyroid can also get so big your neck may look swollen. This enlarged thyroid is called a goiter. A goiter can be a sign of either hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.

A lump in your throat could also be due to other thyroid disorders. Thyroid cancer can cause a lump, but you may also notice difficulties breathing and swallowing, pain when swallowing, hoarseness, or other voice changes that don’t go away.

Swelling or inflammation of the thyroid gland can also be a sign of thyroiditis. Hashimoto’s disease, a form of thyroiditis, is an extremely common cause of hypothyroidism. Thyroiditis can also occur after the delivery of a baby. This type is called postpartum thyroiditis.

As your levels of TH change, your mood can change too. People with an overactive thyroid may experience nervousness, irritability, and mood swings.

People with an underactive thyroid seem to have a higher chance of developing symptoms of depression and anxiety. If you’re taking medication for depression, make sure the healthcare provider who prescribed the medication knows about your hypothyroidism. Tricyclic antidepressants used to treat depression are not great for people with hypothyroidism.

Sometimes, you work out too hard, and your muscles feel sore afterward. However, mysterious or sudden muscle changes can signify thyroid disease.

When your thyroid is in hyperdrive, hyperthyroidism can cause muscle weakness. Too much TH in your system can also lead to myalgias (muscle tenderness) and wasting of the muscles in your shoulder or pelvic girdle (where your pelvis meets your legs).

If your thyroid isn’t producing enough TH, you may experience pain in your muscles or joints. About 80% of people with hypothyroidism experience hypothyroid myopathy, which is muscle pain or weakness. If untreated, the muscles can become severely affected, which may cause limited mobility.

It isn’t very clear why thyroid disease causes problems with muscles. Some evidence suggests that a deficiency in TH can impair the cells’ function, leading to muscle pain and weakness.

Thyroid dysfunction can have various effects on different parts of the reproductive system—and vice versa. People who have completed pregnancy or menopause may be more likely to develop thyroid disease than others.

Your thyroid plays a role in the menstrual cycle. If your thyroid makes too much or too little TH, that can throw off your menstrual cycle. For example, you may have light, heavy, or irregular periods.

Thyroid disease can also cause amenorrhea, when your periods stop for several months or more. You may also go into menopause early, before age 40 years, if you have thyroid disease.

Since thyroid disease affects the menstrual cycle, it also affects when you ovulate. Hypothyroidism can cause excess prolactin, the hormone that makes breast milk. Excess prolactin can prevent ovulation, which causes difficulties if you’re trying to get pregnant.

Not only does thyroid disease make it difficult to become pregnant, but it also can affect the health of your pregnancy. Pregnancy hormones raise levels of TH that are essential for the fetus’s brain development.

Additionally, if untreated, thyroid disease may cause the following complications:

• Low birth weight
• Miscarriage
• Preeclampsia
• Premature birth

Having little or no desire for sexual activity could be a side effect of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. A dysfunctioning thyroid may impact the following areas:

• Arousal
• Desire
• Orgasm
• Satisfaction

Some people with thyroid disorders also experience pain during intercourse. While little TH could contribute to low libido, the impact of other symptoms—weight gain, low energy, and body aches and pains—could also play a part.

To check your thyroid at home, look at your neck to see if you can detect any signs of thyroid swelling. Follow these directions from the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists:

1. Using a hand mirror, look at the area of your neck above your collarbone and below your larynx (voice box). This is where your thyroid is.
2. Keep looking at your thyroid in the mirror and tip your head back.
3. Take a drink of water and swallow.
4. Observe your neck when you swallow. You’re looking for any bulges or protrusions in the thyroid area.
5. You may want to repeat that several times. Remember, your thyroid is just above the collarbone. Try not to confuse it with the Adam’s apple.
6. Any protrusions or bulges you find will need to be evaluated by a healthcare provider so they can be treated properly.

Take early warning signs of thyroid problems seriously. Anything that’s lumpy or suspicious warrants getting checked out by a healthcare provider.

Thyroid symptoms can cause other health problems, so it’s important to seek treatment for any type of thyroid irregularities. Hypothyroidism, for example, can contribute to high cholesterol.

However, not all thyroid symptoms will show up right away. Signs of hypothyroidism may be slow to develop and could take months or years to appear.

If you suspect your thyroid is causing your problems, a healthcare provider may do blood tests, including a thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) test or free T3 and free T4 tests.

A healthcare provider may prescribe synthetic hormones based on your results, symptoms, and physical exam. Testing and treating a thyroid disorder takes a bit of trial and error, so expect to visit an endocrinologist a few times before finding the best treatment for you.

Diagnosing a thyroid disorder may be difficult since the symptoms can be similar to other health problems. An overactive or underactive thyroid can also present different symptoms. Knowing the potential signs of thyroid disorders, like sexual dysfunction, irregular periods, and mood changes, can help you get the treatment you need.

If you suspect you have a thyroid problem or have a family history of thyroid disease, take note of changes in appetite, fatigue, constipation or diarrhea, difficulty getting pregnant, or dry skin. Notify a healthcare provider if you are concerned about thyroid disease.