The thyroid gland can sting like a bee if its hormone production goes awry.
The thyroid produces hormones essential for metabolism and brain activity. If you notice any of the following signs persisting, or have more than one, endocrinologists recommend a simple blood test to gauge your hormone levels.
1. Sleep changes
If you’ve always been a good sleeper but suddenly can’t snooze through the night, it could signal a thyroid problem. An overactive thyroid pumps out certain hormones (triiodothyronine, known as T3, and thyroxine, known as T4) in excess, which can overstimulate the central nervous system and lead to insomnia, says Dr Hossein Gharib, a Mayo Clinic endocrinologist. On the flip side, if you still feel tired after a full night’s sleep, or the need to sleep more than usual, you might have an underactive thyroid, in which case your body doesn’t produce enough of these hormones.
2. Thinning hair
Thinning hair, particularly eyebrows, is a common sign of thyroid disease. An underactive or overactive thyroid throws off your hair growth cycle.
3. Sweating at random times
Excessive sweating when you’re not exerting yourself is a common sign of a hyperactive thyroid. “The thyroid regulates the body’s energy production. Higher than normal hormone levels mean your metabolism is revved up, which causes people to feel overly warm,” says Gupta.
4. Clothes that fit tighter than usual?
An underactive thyroid might be to blame. “A lack of hormones decreases metabolism and calorie burning, so you may see gradual but unexplained weight gain,” says Gharib.
5. Brain fog
When your thyroid isn’t working right, neither is your brain. With an underactive thyroid, some people report feeling a brain fog, says Gupta. Others report subtle memory loss (the feeling it’s on the tip of my tongue!) or overall mental fatigue. An overactive thyroid can make it difficult to concentrate.