What Are the Early Warning Signs of Thyroid Problems?

Most people don’t think too much about their thyroid, unless of course something goes wrong with it. But that’s not to say it deserves its undistinguished reputation.

This small, butterfly-shaped gland at the base of the neck just below the Adam's apple controls many of your body’s most important functions.

The thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate metabolism, growth and development. And it is prone to be faulty. For many of us, it can be over- or underactive. 

Thyroid disease is the umbrella term for the condition in which this powerful gland does not produce the right amount of hormones. Abnormal production is the most common thyroid problems encountered.

More than 12% of the U.S. population will develop a thyroid condition during their lifetime, according to the American Thyroid Association. Up to 60% of those with thyroid disease are unaware of their condition.

Women are five to eight times more likely than men to have thyroid problems, according to the American Thyroid Association.

What are the different types of thyroid disease?

Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism are the two main types of thyroid disease.

• Sometimes referred to as an overactive thyroid, hyperthyroidism is when too many hormones are dispatched into the bloodstream by the gland. When this happens, your metabolism is shifted into overdrive, which can lead to weight loss, irregular heartbeat, tremors in your hands, heat intolerance, diarrhea, and other issues.
• Conversely, hypothyroidism occurs when your thyroid gland fails to make enough thyroid hormones. Because the body needs lots of hormones to produce energy, the insufficient production causes a dip in your get-up-and-go. Patients with hypothyroidism may notice difficulty losing weight, cold intolerance, dry skin, hair loss and constipation, among other issues.

In most cases, both these types of thyroid problems can be managed well if properly diagnosed and treated with medication.

Thyroid nodules or growths within your thyroid gland are common. These can be diagnosed several different ways. Often, patients will notice a lump in the front portion of their neck below their Adam’s apple. The other ways these are usually found is on a physical examination by your doctor, or by another imaging test done for another reason like a CT scan. Your doctor will usually order an ultrasound of your thyroid  to evaluate nodules. An ultrasound will determine whether the nodules can be monitored or require a biopsy. Most nodules are not cancerous. 

Thyroid cancers are rare. Most thyroid cancers do not spread beyond the neck and respond well to treatment.

How do you feel when you have thyroid problems?

Your thyroid’s main job is to control your metabolic rate, which is the amount of energy the body uses for basic functions like breathing, keeping your heart beating, circulation and cell growth.

Early warning signs of thyroid disease include fatigue and weight fluctuation. Other symptoms can vary depending on the type of thyroid disease a person has.

As time goes on, symptoms might include:

• Vision and eye problems
• Gastrointestinal issues
• Temperature sensitivity
• Difficulty sleeping
• Changes in hair and skin
• Mood swings
• Fluid retention

What is Hashimoto's disease?

Hashimoto's disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes the immune system to attack the thyroid by mistake, which causes hormone-producing cells to die. The result is often a reduction of hormone production – hypothyroidism.

The primary treatment is thyroid hormone replacement, -ost commonly with once daily levothyroxine. 

Patients can have Hashimoto’s with normal thyroid function. In this case, the thyroid levels are usually monitored without starting treatment.

Another autoimmune disorder called Graves’ disease can cause the thyroid to be over-active, which can lead to hyperthyroidism.

Hyperthyroidism can also be caused by taking too much thyroid hormone to treat hypothyroidism.

For those with thyroid disease, treatment may involve a balancing act that should be monitored by a doctor.

What causes thyroid disease? What are the risk factors?

The causes of thyroid problems are to some degree unknown. 

There are various risk factors associated with thyroid disease. They include:

• Genetics. Family history of thyroid disease can increase the risk.
• Gender. Women are more likely to experience thyroid disease.
• Infections. Viral or bacterial infections can damage the thyroid gland and lead to thyroid disease.
• Medications. Lithium and amiodarone are among the medications that can interfere with thyroid function and cause hypothyroidism.
• Radiation therapy. Treatment that uses radiation in the head neck area can cause thyroid problems.
• Thyroid nodules. These benign growths on the thyroid gland can sometimes produce too much thyroid hormone, leading to hyperthyroidism. 

What are complications of thyroid disease?

Thyroid disease affects many parts of the body. If it remains undiagnosed or is not treated properly, it can cause significant complications.

For hyperthyroidism, the complications include:

• Atrial fibrillation
• Stroke
• Congestive heart failure
• Osteoporosis
• Thyroid storm, a life-threatening extreme form of hyperthyroidism

Complications for hypothyroidism that is not properly treated include:

• Mood disorders
• Peripheral neuropathy, a condition that affects the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord
• Heart disease
• Infertility
• Myxedema coma, a life-threatening extreme form of hypothyroidism leading to decreased mental status, hypothermia and other symptoms related to slowing of function in multiple organs. 

Thyroid disease treatment

A thyroid disease can be a medical condition that patients will need to manage for the rest of their lives. The good news is that patients can usually live a normal life if the disease is properly treated. This is usually done with medication that can normalize hormone levels.

Learn more about the author of this blog, Jared Dendy, MD