Are you feeling “off” lately? Like your mood is off, you’re tired all the time, and your appetite has changed? There are a number of conditions that can lead to these symptoms and other signs of irregularity, but often times when patients have gone through the ringer with their health, there’s one particular problem that continues to go unnoticed: thyroid issues. Investigating the condition of your thyroid may be the last piece of the puzzle when it comes to finding out what’s causing your health problems.
The team at AOC Physicians has experience diagnosing and treating thyroid and parathyroid issues using medication, alternative therapies, and minimally invasive surgery. So, if you’re feeling “off” and have been evaluated for several other health conditions, none of which have determined why you’re feeling the way you do, it may be time to consider the health of your thyroid.
What Is A Thyroid Gland?
Before getting into the symptoms related to hypo- and hyperthyroidism, let’s first go over the primary function of a thyroid gland. Located in your neck above your Adam’s apple, your thyroid gland produces specific hormones to help regulate normal bodily functions, like your body’s temperature, metabolism, and heart rate. If your thyroid is under- or over-active, you will experience symptoms that can affect everything from your brain to your bowels. Having said that, we hope you can understand why it may take a great deal of time for your doctors to come up with a clear thyroid-related diagnosis.
Moreover, researchers are still trying to figure out what causes thyroid imbalances in the first place. Possible causes include genetics, an autoimmune disease, stress, nutritional deficiencies, environmental toxins, and pregnancy, but there is no set-in-stone cause of hypo- or hyperthyroidism.
Imbalanced Thyroid: What To Look For
Depending on the type of thyroid problem you have, you may experience various symptoms that have different levels of severity. The purpose of this blog is to educate you on some of the symptoms that may indicate your thyroid is off – not to diagnose which condition (i.e. hyperthyroidism vs. hypothyroidism) you may be affected by. We encourage you to visit AOC Physicians and meet with a member of our team to determine whether or not you suffer from a thyroid problem because attempting to self-diagnose and treatment yourself.
Top 10 Symptoms Related to Thyroid Issues
- Fatigue – if you’re tired all morning and day even after receiving a full night’s sleep, you may have an underactive thyroid.
- Depression – Feeling unusually depressed from time to time may indicate an underactive thyroid. Talk to your doctor if you feel “low” every now and again.
- Jitters & Anxiety – Both symptoms are common in people with hyperactive and underactive thyroids.
- Appetite & Taste Buds – if you’ve noticed some changes in your appetite and the way you taste and smell food, speak to a member of our team, as that may indicate problems with your thyroid.
- Heart Flutters/Palpitations – If you start to notice your heart skips a beat or two, beats too hard or too quickly, you have undiagnosed heart flutters or palpitations. These ailments are often linked to thyroid issues.
- Brain Fog – This may come as a surprise, but cognitive functioning can take a major hit to your overall health if your thyroid is out of order. You may suffer from difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, and brain fog if you suffer from hyper- or hypothyroidism.
- Low Libido – An underactive thyroid can cause you to lose interest in sex, but other symptoms caused by hypothyroidism, such as weight gain, low energy, and body aches, can all contribute to a low libido.
- Unpredictable Bowels –Do you experience bouts of constipation, diarrhea, or both? These issues may indicate a problem with your thyroid, as low hormone production can cause a slower digestive process.
- High Blood Pressure– Elevated blood pressure can be a symptom of both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
- Weight gain – Going up a few pant sizes may not initially because for concern, but if you aren’t eating more than usual and exercising a few times a week, and you’re still gaining weight – this might be a sign your thyroid is out of whack.
The bottom line? There is not one singular symptom that can determine whether or not you have a poorly functioning thyroid. That’s why it’s imperative you meet with a physician who you can trust. Call AOC today to learn more about the treatment options available for hypo-and hyperthyroidism.
Arizona Otolaryngology Consultants (AOC) is a comprehensive ENT clinic that provides care for all diseases of the ears, nose, throat, and sinuses. The physicians at AOC have the highest level of training and expertise in ENT care and ENT subspecialty care, which includes the management of pediatric airway, cancer, skull base surgery, advanced head and neck surgical and reconstructive procedures, craniofacial surgery and more. Call 602-264-4834 to request an appointment today!
The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.