Thyroid disease is quite common, affecting five times as many women as men. While knowing the signs of thyroid disease can be helpful, many of the possible symptoms are nonspecific, meaning they could be caused by a host of conditions. So we tapped endocrinologists to share their number-one sign that your thyroid is off, so you can spot it as soon as possible.
Meet the experts: Vivian Sobel, M.D., an endocrinologist at NewYork-Presbyterian and Weill Cornell Medicine; Jamie Mullally, M.D., an associate professor of endocrinology and metabolism at New York Medical College.
Thyroid diseases can be split into two categories: Hypothyroidism, which happens when thyroid hormone levels are too low, often due to a disease process that causes damage to the thyroid, or from removal of the thyroid during surgery, or from neck radiation or certain medications, explains Vivian Sobel, M.D., an endocrinologist at NewYork-Presbyterian and Weill Cornell Medicine; and hyperthyroidism, which occurs when there is too much thyroid hormone circulating in the bloodstream, she explains.
If you have hypothyroidism, your body is not making enough thyroid hormone. Since the thyroid plays a key role in regulating metabolism, this may cause a variety of symptoms. But the one that Dr. Sobel says to look out for? Feeling suddenly cold for an extended period of time and/or particularly intolerant to the cold—if this happens, you should give your doctor a call.
While fatigue and gradual weight gain are some of the most common symptoms of underactive thyroid, they “are usually non-specific symptoms, and unless severe are unlikely to be caused by hypothyroidism,” she says. Cold intolerance, on the other hand, is a solid clue that something is up with the gland.
Meanwhile, hyperthyroidism results in the overproduction of thyroid hormone, which causes many processes related to your metabolism to speed up. The number-one symptom that should prompt a call to your doctor, according to Jamie Mullally, M.D., an associate professor of endocrinology and metabolism at New York Medical College, is a rapid or irregular heartbeat. “Palpitations or a racing heart are not something to ignore, since hyperthyroidism can affect heart rhythm,” she explains.
If you experience any of these symptoms and suspect something is off, ask your doctor for a blood test to measure your thyroid hormone levels. “Many women over 50 have mild or early hypothyroidism, sometimes without realizing it,” says Dr. Mullally. “Hyperthyroidism is less common overall, but the prevalence is higher in older women.” Usually, treatment for either form of thyroid disease involves taking medication every day. Again, if you’re feeling off, it’s best to speak with your healthcare provider who can tailor your treatment options to you.
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