The thyroid gland is a small butterfly-shaped gland at the base of the neck just below the Adam’s apple. The thyroid gland plays a huge role in our body influencing the function of many important organs, including the heart, brain, liver, kidneys, and skin. Ensuring that the thyroid gland is healthy and functioning properly is vitally important to the body’s overall well-being.
Symptoms of an under-active thyroid that does not produce enough thyroid hormone, or Hypothyroidism, include:
- Weight gain without change in diet or exercise
- Fatigue or feeling sluggish
- Difficulty concentrating, memory impairment
- Dry skin and hair
- Hair loss, loss of hair on the outer third of eyebrow and/or eyelashes
- Muscle aches and/or cramps
- Loss of libido
- Low body temperature, cold hands or feet, increased sensitivity to cold
- Irregular or heavy menses
- Depression
- Change in bowel, usually more constipation
- Heart palpitations
- Elevated cholesterol levels
- Puffy face
An overactive thyroid gland, or Hyperthyroidism, produces too much thyroid hormone.
Symptoms associated with Hyperthyroidism include:
- Trouble sleeping
- Fast heart rate greater than 100 beats per minute
- Intolerance to heat
- Weight loss, despite eating the same amount or even more than usual
- Goiter (enlarged thyroid gland)
- Anxiety, nervousness, and/or irritability
- Fatigue
- Twitching or hand tremors
- Night sweats
- Irritability
- More loose and frequent bowel movements
- Muscle weakness
- Eye problems
- Muscle weakness
- Hair loss Change in menstrual pattern