YOUR THYROID

One in eight women will develop thyroid problems in her lifetime. Your thyroid controls your metabolism, so it’s important to pay attention to any sign of complications. Here’s what to look out for.

8 signs that you need to have your thyroid gland checked out

❛ If you wake up feeling as though you’ve already run a marathon, your lack of energy could indicate an underactive thyroid.❜

thebutterfly-shaped thyroid gland sits at the front of the neck, wrapped around the trachea. It produces essential hormones that control a number of extremely important bodily functions, including the allpowerful metabolic process, which converts food into energy.

FEELING FLAT OR FOGGY?

Thyroid complications are the result of over- or underproduction of the hormones that are meant to control the metabolic process, but symptoms differ based on the root cause of the problem. Often-reported complaints include weakness and fatigue, brain fog, an unusual feeling in the neck, fluctuating cholesterol levels and muscle weakness.

COMMON SIGNS OF THYROID PROBLEMS 1 TIREDNESS

When your thyroid gland is underactive, natural functions begin to slow. If you wake up feeling as though you’ve already run a marathon, your lack of energy could indicate an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), which causes sluggishness and even mental exhaustion.

2 HEAT SENSITIVITY

An underactive thyroid causes your body to run at a lower metabolic rate. Simply put, that means you’ll generate less heat than usual, which will make you feel colder than everybody else in the room. An overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) has the opposite effect: you are likely to overheat or sweat excessively.

3 GAINING OR LOSING WEIGHT

Putting on a bit of weight even though you’re eating well and exercising regularly? You may be suffering from hypothyroidism: the amount of extra weight in kilograms differs from person to person, and the gain is rarely excessive or debilitating, but it can be one of the more frustrating symptoms. Conversely, hyperthyroidism can cause unintentional weight loss because your metabolism speeds up.

4 A SHIFT IN APPETITE

Hypothyroidism can reduce feelings of hunger and may cause constipation. In keeping with the pattern, hyperthyroidism triggers the opposite – you constantly feel hungry and thirsty, and diarrhoea is often part of the picture.

5 AN IRREGULAR HEARTBEAT

Heart palpitations or a noticeably slowed heart rate could indicate thyroid problems. In turn, these lead to a rise in cholesterol and blood pressure, and can leave you feeling weak and depleted.

6 ANXIETY

If you feel unusually anxious or jittery, your thyroid may be overactive. You may get the sense that your body is in constant overdrive or that you’re about to spiral out of control.

7 DRY SKIN AND BRITTLE NAILS

Itchy, flaky skin can be a sign of an underactive thyroid: a slowed metabolism reduces sweating and natural moisture, which leaves you with unwelcome dry patches, scaly bits and weakened nails.

8 YOUR PERIOD GOES A BIT WEIRD

Because the thyroid gland directly affects your ovaries, any dysfunction is likely to cause considerable changes in your menstrual cycle. If you have a heavier flow, your cycle suddenly lengthens or you miss a period (and you’re not pregnant), have your thyroid checked out.