Coping with Chronic Health Conditions: Tips

Recognizing The Subtle Signs Of Thyroid Disorders

18 October 2016 by Freddie Cox

Although most people automatically think to call the doctor when they're dealing with an obvious illness, sometimes the more subtle signs of illnesses are easy to overlook. Until you evaluate all of your symptoms collectively, you may not recognize the big picture as the sign of a real problem. For example, problems with your thyroid can exhibit as many different things, including overwhelming fatigue, weight changes, and even concentration issues. Here are some of the things that you should watch for and discuss with your doctor.

Unexplained Weight Changes

Whether you're gaining a lot of weight without any dietary changes or have suddenly lost a significant percentage of your body weight, either could be associated with your thyroid. Hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid, slows your body's metabolism and causes you to gain weight. Hyperthyroidism, an overactive thyroid, actually causes your metabolism to speed up, which leads to unexplained weight loss.

Dry, Brittle, Or Falling Hair

Your thyroid can also affect the condition of your hair. The hormone changes that occur as a result of the thyroid production issues will dry your hair out or leave it feeling brittle. In addition, an underactive thyroid can also cause excessive hair loss. If you brush your hair and find a lot of hair in the brush on a regular basis, that's a sign that your thyroid may not be functioning as intended.

Concentration Problems

One of the things that many people overlook is the difficulty with concentration. When your thyroid hormone levels are not properly balanced, it affects hormone production as a whole. The hormones affected also contribute to your ability to focus and think clearly. If you're struggling with general concentration problems in addition to some of the other common symptoms, it may be an indication that your thyroid is not functioning correctly.

Ridges In Your Nails

This is a subtle symptom, but one that is also very common with thyroid issues. If you run a finger across the width of your fingernail and can feel raised ridges on the nail instead of a smooth surface, it often means you're struggling with a thyroid problem. Your nails may even break much easier than they have in the past, which is similar to the problem to what can occur with your hair.

If you're noticing any collection of these symptoms, you should talk with your general practitioner about your concerns. A simple blood test is enough to help you find out how your thyroid is functioning.

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