Your thyroid gland is a small gland found in the neck, just in front of the windpipe. One of its main jobs is to create the hormones that help regulate the body’s metabolism, which is the process of turning food into energy.
However, if the gland is unable to provide the right amount of these hormones it can be dangerous.
It is thought that five percent of the UK population – or one in 20 – suffers from a thyroid disease.
These include hyperthyroidism, where the gland produces too much of the hormone, and hypothyroidism, where it doesn’t produce enough.
Despite how common it is, thyroid disease can be difficult to diagnose.
A study, by the University of Aberdeen, found it takes an average of four and a half years for thyroid conditions such as hyperthyroidism to be diagnosed.
Researchers found that for two thirds of the 1,200 participants it took multiple appointments and a worsening of the severity of symptoms before a diagnosis was made.
But the team warned of the debilitating impact it can have on everyday life. They said: “Posing serious implications for the physical, mental and emotional life of those affected, thyroid patients are at greater risk of experiencing long-term sick leave and impairment of working ability.”
With this in mind, experts revealed some of the red flag signs of thyroid disease that you should not ignore.
Medical negligence experts at Patient Claim Line explained that the symptoms will differ depending on if your thyroid is over or underactive.
“Tiredness and muscle aches are common signs that you may have thyroid disease as well as feeling sensitive when in cold and hot temperatures,” they said.
“An underactive thyroid is also known to cause depression in many sufferers.
“According to the NHS, elderly people suffering from an underactive thyroid may have an increased risk of memory loss whilst children may experience slower development leading up to puberty.”
There can be some more physical signs of the condition.
They said: “An overactive thyroid can also manifest itself in swelling in the neck from an enlarged thyroid gland, as experienced by our clients.
“This swelling is usually painless, but it can create a cough, difficulty speaking and a wheezing noise when breathing.”
The NHS lists the common symptoms of an underactive thyroid as:
- Tiredness
- Weight gain
- Depression
- Being sensitive to the cold
- Dry skin and hair
- Muscle aches.
Whereas signs of an overactive thyroid can include:
- Nervousness, anxiety and irritability
- Mood swings
- Difficulty sleeping
- Persistent tiredness and weakness
- Sensitivity to heat
- Swelling in your neck from an enlarged thyroid gland (goitre)
- An irregular and/or unusually fast heart rate (palpitations)
- Twitching or trembling
- Weight loss.
Who is at greater risk of thyroid disease?
The experts at Patient Claim Line continued: “Thyroid disease can affect anyone but, according to the NHS, it is more common in women than men and usually occurs between the ages of 20 and 40 years old.
“Genetics also play a huge role, with research from Verywell suggesting that approximately 64 percent of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and 65 percent of thyroid hormones, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) concentrations are genetically determined. This means that if you have a close family member with the disorder, you’re at an increased risk of developing a thyroid condition.
“If your family also has a history of medical conditions such as anaemia or lupus, you may be at a higher risk of thyroid disease. If you suffer from an autoimmune disorder (such as type 1 diabetes) you are likely to develop an additional autoimmune disorder like thyroid disease.
“If you’re a smoker, quitting can reduce your risk of thyroid disease as cigarette smoke contains toxins that alter the functioning of your thyroid.”
If you experience any signs of thyroid disease you should speak to your GP.
They may want to perform a blood test to check your hormone levels.
