10 Signs You May Have A Thyroid Problem, Plus the Most Common Conditions

Everything you need to know about the thyroid and its role in your health, plus common signs of thyroid issues.

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck that can affect many functions of the body. Its impact on your health starts before you’re even born—the thyroid health of the mom will determine the baby’s brain development and physical size, says Neeti Sharma, MD, former internal medicine physician and functional medicine doctor at Parsley Health . In adults, the thyroid affects metabolic activity (or how your body uses energy), your heart, and your bones, but it can really have an influence on every function and organ in the body to some degree, Dr. Sharma says. That means, if something is off, it could have a ripple effect.

The thyroid works in relation to the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus, a region in the brain. The hypothalamus releases thyroid-releasing hormone (TRH) which stimulates the pituitary, another region in the brain to release thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). That, in turn, stimulates the thyroid gland to make T3 and T4 thyroid hormones. There is a feedback loop between the thyroid hormones T4 and the brain, so when there is enough hormone in the blood the TRH and TSH stop getting released. This is going on constantly to keep hormones in balance. These thyroid hormones are specifically what can have an influence on most organ functions, Dr. Sharma explains.

The key to understanding your thyroid’s role in your health is knowing that your environment can deeply affect its function and even put it off balance, Dr. Sharma says. “When people think of the thyroid and how it functions, they think it’s a fixed thing and that it doesn’t change, but the opposite is true—how we’re doing in our environment, how we eat, our stress, the pollutants, can all very dynamically and drastically change what our thyroid does and how it responds,” she says. “That’s why it’s important to determine how to change your environment to better suit the thyroid.” In other words, if your thyroid hormones are out of whack, there are changes you can make to improve your thyroid health, which can ultimately be beneficial for your overall health.

Here’s what to know about thyroid conditions, including causes, how to spot symptoms of a thyroid issue, and how to address concerns.

What causes thyroid problems?

One in eight women will experience thyroid problems in their lifetime, according to the Office of Women’s Health . While the most common causes of low and high thyroid are autoimmune thyroid conditions, Dr. Sharma points out a few other factors that can play a role in thyroid conditions, including:

• Nutrient deficiencies , like iron, zinc, selenium, vitamin E, or B vitamins, or high or low levels of iodine
• High stress levels, as cortisol , the stress hormone, can suppress the release of TSH by the pituitary gland, which then means the thyroid won’t get told to produce hormones
• Fluoride toxins
• High amounts of heavy metals in the body
• Gluten intolerance
• Infections, like Epstein-Barr virus and Yersinia enterocolitica
• Radiation or surgery affecting the thyroid gland
• Family history of thyroid conditions

Symptoms of thyroid issues

Because the thyroid can affect so many organs and systems in your body, the range of symptoms of a thyroid problem can be widespread. Dr. Sharma explains what to look out for to determine if you could have a thyroid condition:

1. Weight loss or gain

Depending on whether the body is making too much of the thyroid hormones T3 and T4 or too little, this could cause you to either lose or gain weight, respectively. This change in weight comes from the thyroid’s role in your metabolism. If you haven’t changed your eating or exercise routine, but still see the scale number increasing or decreasing, it could be time to talk to your doctor.

2. Fatigue

The thyroid gland affects mitochondrial health, or the power packs of our cells that produce energy. When you have low thyroid hormone, the mitochondria can’t work as efficiently or effectively, so you’ll feel less energized, Dr. Sharma says. This feeling of fatigue could be a sign of a thyroid issue at play.

3. Mood changes

Irritability and depression can also accompany low thyroid function, while feeling jittery or anxious might signal high thyroid activity. Experts aren’t exactly sure the mechanism that causes the thyroid to affect mood, but Dr. Sharma says animal studies show that the thyroid hormone can influence neurotransmitters that play a role in mood disorders. Because the thyroid targets the brain, it could also result from high or low thyroid hormones stopping brain cells from functioning at their optimal level.

4. Irregular heart rhythms

While those with low thyroid function might experience a slow heart rate, those with an overactive thyroid may find they have heart palpitations, or their heart skips a beat. A slow heart rate can make you feel tired or fatigued and that you’re short of breath; if someone has a fast heartbeat, it might feel like a pounding in the chest or you might be able to feel the palpitations. That quick rate might also feel similar to anxiety . These changes to your heart rate are because there is either too much or too little thyroid hormone telling the heart to pump too fast or too slow.

5. Shortness of breath

If you find yourself walking a certain distance that used to be no problem, and now you’re short of breath when you do it, that could be a sign of a thyroid issue.

6. Swelling in the legs or face

Swelling, particularly non-pitting edema, which can occur on your body or face, especially around the eyes, might also signal low thyroid function.

7. A yellow or orange tint to your skin

When the thyroid isn’t functioning properly, your body can’t convert beta carotene into vitamin A. This can leave your skin looking discolored. If you notice any abnormal changes to your skin color, it could be a sign of a thyroid issue and you should talk to your doctor right away.

8. Heavy or prolonged periods

Your thyroid helps to control your menstrual cycle. If your body isn’t making enough thyroid hormones, you could have heavy or long-lasting periods. On the other hand, if your body is making too much of the thyroid hormones, you might have a light period. So, keep an eye on irregular periods , as they can signal a thyroid problem.

9. Muscle weakness

While the connection between the thyroid and muscle weakness isn’t fully understood, it likely has to do with the thyroid’s role in cell metabolism and normal cell function . Low thyroid hormones can negatively affect the breakdown of glycogen into glucose, which your muscles need for energy, and it can also slow down the conversion of ATP, the molecule that breaks down food into energy that your skeletal muscle can use.

10. Digestive issues

Just like thyroid hormones can affect your heart and other organs, it can also cause issues for your gut. Those with low thyroid function might experience constipation, while those with high function might get diarrhea.

Other signs of underactive thyroid: feeling cold, joint or muscle pain, thinning hair, dry skin, a hoarse voice

Other signs of overactive thyroid: feeling hot, increased sweating, bulging eyes

Common thyroid issues

1. Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism means your thyroid is not making enough crucial thyroid hormones. This is more common than hyperthyroidism, though it often goes unnoticed, Dr. Sharma says. Hypothyroidism slows down bodily functions, like your metabolism and heart rate, and can lead to weight gain.

2. Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism means that the thyroid is making too much of the thyroid hormones. It speeds up body functions, like your metabolism and your heart rate and can lead to weight loss.

3. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis

An autoimmune disease , Hashimoto’s involves antibodies that attack the thyroid gland, so it can’t function properly. It’s the most common cause of hypothyroidism and affects about five out of every 100 people, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases . It’s also more common in women than men.

4. Grave’s disease

This autoimmune condition involves an overactive thyroid gland. Like Hashimoto’s, the immune system attacks the thyroid gland, but in this case, it causes it to make more of the thyroid hormones than your body really needs. That means you’ll have higher-than-normal levels of T3 and T4 in your body, but lower levels of TSH.

What to do if you have symptoms of a thyroid issue

If you find you can check off a few of the signs of thyroid issues listed above, it’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor. They’ll be able to offer a thyroid test via a blood sample. Many doctors look at your levels of TSH, but at Parsley Health, doctors also routinely check Free T4, Total T4, Free T3, Reverse T3, anti-TPO antibodies, and anti-thyroglobulin—these give a bigger picture into what’s going on with your thyroid health. Many doctors will also check iodine levels, as it can increase flares in Hashimoto’s, Dr. Sharma says. While some doctors prescribe medications, it’s important to talk to them and figure out the underlying problems that might be causing the thyroid condition (say, heavy metals, nutrient deficiencies , or high stress levels), she adds.

Research backs up the importance of looking at a person’s environment and how it plays a role in thyroid function. There are many thyroid healing lifestyle changes that can help you address the thyroid conditions in the long-term. Dr. Sharma mentions that tactics like stress management and practices like yoga, Tai Chi, or meditation , are one example of a helpful lifestyle adjustment. But it’s most important to consider the whole picture. You might need to evaluate your diet, gut bacteria, or your sleep schedule, too. A doctor trained in holistic medicine can help you find a diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan.