The thyroid gland exerts profound influence over your energy, weight, mood, heart rate, and temperature regulation. When it is not functioning optimally — either producing too little or too much thyroid hormone — the downstream effects can be significant and wide-ranging. Thyroid disorders are particularly common in women, affecting roughly one in eight during their lifetime, but men are affected too. Knowing which symptoms point toward thyroid dysfunction is the first step toward getting diagnosed and treated.
Symptoms That May Indicate Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) is the more common of the two main thyroid disorders. Symptoms develop gradually and are often attributed to stress, aging, or depression. Watch for: persistent fatigue despite adequate sleep, unexplained weight gain despite no change in diet, feeling cold all the time, constipation, dry or coarse skin, hair loss or thinning, brittle nails, slowed heart rate, muscle weakness or cramps, depression, brain fog, and irregular or heavy menstrual periods in women.
Symptoms That May Indicate Hyperthyroidism
- Unexplained weight loss despite increased or normal appetite
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
- Feeling excessively hot or sweating heavily
- Anxiety, nervousness, or irritability
- Hand tremors or shakiness
- Frequent bowel movements
- Difficulty sleeping
- Goiter (visible swelling at the base of the neck)
When to Seek a Thyroid Evaluation
If you are experiencing three or more of the above symptoms consistently — especially unexplained fatigue, weight changes, or mood disturbances — it is worth discussing thyroid function with your primary care physician. Diagnosis requires only a simple blood test (TSH, Free T4). At Vish Medical, Dr. Arpana Pillay includes thyroid screening as part of annual wellness exams and evaluates thyroid function whenever symptoms suggest it. Book an appointment to discuss your symptoms today.