We need to discuss the warning signs you have thyroid problems.
Thyroid disease is on the rise these days. Sadly, due to our lifestyles and the toxicity of daily life our thyroids take a beating. While the problem is common many people experience symptoms that they think are normal or they don’t recognize the role their thyroid plays in them.
My first major indication that I had a serious thyroid problem was when I woke up with a panic attack. It was out of the blue and I had never experienced one before. It totally scared me! I began to look at what could be the root of it and quickly decided that my thyroid was the culprit.
It took me three doctors that were willing to run a full thyroid panel to discover that I had Hashimoto’s, an autoimmune thyroid condition.
Since my diagnosis, I have researched and found I had many warning signs of thyroid problems for years. I wish that I knew then what I do know. I have found that in the thick of thyroid disease, you need to become your own thyroid advocate.
If you are experiencing any of these problems without any other explanation, it may be time to ask your doctor to check out what your thyroid is doing. Here are some of the most common warning signs you have thyroid problems.
10 Warning Signs You Have Thyroid Problems:
1.) Thinning hair or hair loss
Are you noticing that when you brush your hair you are leaving a lot of hair behind? Or is your hair not as thick as it was when you were younger? Both of these issues can be due to hypothyroidism or issues like low iron, which have a hand in thyroid regulation.
2.) Trouble regulating body temperature
Are you often cold when nobody else is? This was something I struggled with for a long time, I thought it was just me. When I finally found a doctor that would take my thyroid problem seriously, on the list of questions he asked me were if I was cold often. He said this is a common indicator of thyroid issues. (As well as overheating too much which can be associated with hyperthyroidism)
3.) Thinning eyebrows
Are the outer edges of your eyebrow thin or non existent? This is a problem I recently found to be connected to thyroid function. My functional medicine doctor checked my eyebrows as soon as I sat down. It blew me away!
4.) Brain Fog
A common problem for tired moms, but is your brain fog still there when you finally get some sleep? Diminished brain clarity is a big problem among thyroid patients.
5.) Unexplained weight gain or loss
I know it is easier to gain weight as we age, but when we are suddenly packing on the pounds for no reason, you need to check out the thyroid. (This also goes for losing weight with no change to diet or exercise)
When the thyroid hormones under or over produce it can very much effect how our body stores and uses fat.
6.) Aching joints and muscles
This was a symptom that came later for me, but I thought it was because I wasn’t sleeping well. I’d wake up with aching leg muscles. I also started to notice my hands hurting a lot, and I kept dropping things, too.
The thyroid hormones take so much out of your body, it is common to be depleted of minerals. This often causes aches, pains and even cramps.
7.) Depression or anxiety
Depression can happen due to circumstances of life. However, if you find your moods constantly down with no emotional reason, it is time to look at what can physically be causing your sadness. Thyroid issues and adrenal fatigue can often be found in the root of these issues.
Unexplained anxiety can also be the case of hyperthyroidism or autoimmune thyroid issues, as the the thyroid is attacked, it gives off excess thyroid hormone, causing anxiety and panic attacks.
8.) Inability to gain or lose weight
Have you tried every diet and exercise out there with no impact on your weight? Check the thyroid! When thyroid hormones are not working, they cause havoc on your metabolism. They send signals to hold on to the fat or to not allow the fat to collect on your body.
9.) Excess fatigue
Do you wake up tired after a good night’s sleep? Can you not make it through the day with out napping? While it can be normal is you haven’t slept, if you are getting good sleep in your body should not be tired.
When your body is not doing what it should be doing, it makes everything work a lot harder than it has to which causes excess fatigue.
10.) Tried but unable to sleep at night
If you spend your day tired but when bed time rolls around you feel wired, this can also be a sign your thyroid needs help.
The ‘sleep’ hormones mingle with thyroid hormones, which can make regulation off sleep difficult. (This can also be an adrenal issues as well.)
While some of these symptoms can and do indicate other issues with the body, they really are signs you have thyroid problems.
For More Information on Thyroid issues…
Looking for more information? Read:
- How Doctors Gamble With Your Health: Testing & Treating Hypothyroidism
- 3 Steps to Finding an AWESOME Doctor to Treat Hypothyroidism.
- Could Wheat Be Destroying Your Thyroid?
If you’re interested in researching, some of my favorite resources online include: Stop the Thyroid Madness and The Thyroid Pharmacist.
Do you suffer with thyroid problems, what were some of your first indications of having a thyroid problem?
Hmm… Might be my computer being goofy, but where is #7? So far 9 out of …er…9 describe me. that is disturbing.
No, not your computer. That was human error….can I blame my thyroid? 😉 🙂 We have that all fixed now.
I was diagnosed with hypothyroid, and then I found the cure. And I am feeling soooo much better. I ordered Terry’s Thyroid care, and fatigue gone, thinning hair stopped, body temp back in control, sleeping more sound, anxiety gone, and as an added bonus hot flash are gone as well. And he states it will cure it if you are patient.
Iodine for Thyroid, Cancer Prevention and More!
What is Terry’s Thyroid Care? Please give all info so I can find this product.
I have been told by other thyroid patients that my issues are all thyroid induced, I have all ten indicators of thyroid problems. I have been tested 3 or 4 times but each test comes back negative. I am at the end of my rooe. I honestly don’t know how much longer I can go on like this.
I’m sorry, Merrilee. I have very much there. Let me ask you, have you had a full panel, testing for antibodies? I ask because it took me going to three doctors to be able to get the full panel.
Merrilee… I too have all the symptoms and been checked serveral times for thyroid issues and they have all came back negative. You are not alone. I feel miserable and also feel like I’m at my ropes end. I am currently seeing a Functional Health Doctor and hoping to find answers. Just taking one day at a time but I honestly feel lost and hopeless. It’s hard to stay positive when your sick all the time. Try to stay strong… thats all you can do. Hope you find answers.
Hi merrily yes I’m the same dr keeps telling me I’m borderline but then leaves it there my weight keeps going up I eat chic & salad most days drink lots water
I’m always tired even when I have had a good night’s sleep …
It’s so frustrating as I have always been energetic & very busy in community work always walking now I feel too tired !!
It’s hard but we must try get help cause I know this is not me at all …….
alot of these issues I have, I was blaming it on my diet, but I’m realizing that it may be a lil more serious. no to mention both my mom and older sister has had there thyroid removed. does anyone know of a good doctor in the high desert area? i.e. apple valley area?
Hi ther, I suffer with Underactive thyroid. And have been for 17 years. I’ve found it really hard. My first indiacation was when I gave birth to my baby girl who is now 17. I had Postnatel depression after a few weeks off giving birth. That is wen I found out I had Thyroid. But I was only a child my self so I didn’t really understand it at that time. It’s only been a few years that I’ve actually looked it up and realise what it is.
I have every one of these symptoms. My health insurance won’t pay for the thyroid tests so I can’t get medical help. What can I do to stop the suffering of all these symptoms. Is there any natural things I can do on my own to help myself? Please help
You really need to get the testing done. If insurance won’t pay, I’d pay out of pocket. Having a well regulated thyroid is worth the cost of the tests! Be sure you get TSH, FREE T3, and FREE T4 tested at a minimum.
I have suffered with tyroids problem from an early age of maybe eleven years old.I experienced most of the symptoms you mentioned.I had my frist child at the age of 18yrs old,at 19yrs I went to join family planning when the nurse saw my neck and told me to have my tyroids examine. Am now 57 yrs,I have had two surgeries,the first was to remove the left side swelling of the tyroid and the second was to remove the entire tyroids gland.Am breathing much better but my weight is still on a see-saw,am still experiencing chills,I cannot use homones replacement pill.My Doc recommended evening primoes ect nothing helps I am between a rock and a hard place.
Hi everyone. I too suffer from all 10 things. I can’t hardly move. My body aches all the time. Feels like my muscles and bones ache to the point I just want to cry. 24/7 I’m burning up. I sweat so bad. It’s embarrassing. I just got done taking another blood test. I haven’t heard anything back. It’s been over a week. This is the second time I have had blood drawn to test for; pre-diabetic. Thyroid’s. Aneimia. Etc. I am sick and tired of being sick and tired. I have absolutely no energy. I hurt all over. I am 49 years young. I’m usually going, going, going. Not anymore. I go & go but I feel like I’m going to just kill over. I pray my doctor figures this out. And soon. Very soon. I use to love the summer. Hated winter. Hated living in places where there was snow. (Colorado) now I’m praying for winter and snow. I hate even going outside to even get into my car. I’m sweating before I even leave the house. I know my boyfriend of 8yrs is so tired of hearing me say how bad I feel all the time. And how I don’t want to go anywhere. Embarrassed of the sweating. And I literally feel like I’m on fire when I go outside. I can’t sleep at night but am so tired. If my doctor says there’s nothing wrong with me one more time, I’m going to lose it. My hands hurt so bad. My skin is dry and tight. Cramps in my hands. Feet. Legs. Neck. Back. My hands are getting so weak. I feel like my whole body is weak. I can’t close my right hand into a fist. I’m sorry. I’m so very sorry for rattling on & on. Please someone help! I don’t know what to do anymore. I tried cbd oils. Balms. Salves. Nothing works. I even started drinking lots of water. Also, I started taking Amberen. For menopause. NOTHING IS WORKING!!😧😒😭😱
SIGNED, Janace. From Pueblo Colorado.
I also had all these symtoms, but my GP found it hard to pin down, but he did, they also found a Goiter that was growing round my wind pipe, and they gave me around 6 weeks to live. So I now have no thyroid at all, and on meds to keep me alive. That was back in 1997, but I am still here, so I must be doing something right.
My goodness that must have been so scary! So thankful you’re still with us and doing okay.