Thyroid Disease Symptoms Thyroid Disease Guide Thyroid Disease Guide Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Coping Thyroid Disease Symptoms Symptoms differ between hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism By Mary Shomon Mary Shomon Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Mary Shomon is a writer and hormonal health and thyroid advocate. She is the author of "The Thyroid Diet Revolution." Learn about our editorial process Updated on October 21, 2022 Medically reviewed by Do-Eun Lee, MD Medically reviewed by Do-Eun Lee, MD LinkedIn Do-Eun Lee, MD, has been practicing medicine for more than 20 years, and specializes in diabetes, thyroid issues and general endocrinology. She currently has a private practice in Lafayette, CA. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Common Symptoms Rare Symptoms Complications When to See a Healthcare Provider Frequently Asked Questions Next in Thyroid Disease Guide Causes and Risk Factors of Thyroid Disease Thyroid disease symptoms include fatigue, unexplained weight changes, a racing heart, and other signs that are related to a thyroid disorder. They are signs that the thyroid, a gland found near the base of your neck, is affected—and the thyroid, in turn, affects other body systems. However, hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) and hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) often have opposite effects. There also are thyroid disease symptoms, such as unusual skin rashes that look like hives, that may be specific to a condition like Graves' disease. This article takes a look at the symptoms of various thyroid problems. It also describes some serious conditions that can arise if symptoms are left untreated, and why it's important to see your healthcare provider. Verywell / Emily Roberts Common Thyroid Symptoms Your thyroid affects many different body systems. The symptoms you have can be an important clue to whether your thyroid is overactive or underactive. Weight Changes Unexplained weight changes can be a sign of a thyroid problem. In hypothyroidism, you may gain weight or not be able to lose weight even if you ramp up exercise and cut calories.In hyperthyroidism, you may lose weight even if you eat normally. You may also lose weight or stay underweight if you eat more. Not everyone with thyroid disease will have these changes. You can have an underactive thyroid and still lose weight or be underweight. You can have an overactive thyroid and find that you can't lose weight, even with a healthy diet and exercise. Temperature Both forms of thyroid disease can make you sensitive to temperature. In hypothyroidism you may feel cold.In hyperthyroidism you may feel hot and sweaty despite a normal temperature around you. Fatigue, Sleep and Mental Health Sleep issues and fatigue are common with thyroid issues. Fatigue can get worse without a good night's rest. At times, it can be so profound that it affects your daily life. Hypothyroidism or Underactive Thyroid You wake up exhausted, even after eight or more hours of sleep. You take long naps. You have "marathon" sleep sessions on your days off. Hyperthyroidism or Overactive Thyroid You have a hard time falling asleep. You wake up several times during the night. You heart races or you feel anxious at bedtime. Depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders are common with thyroid problems. In hypothyroidism, you may have depression that doesn't respond to antidepressants.In hyperthyroidism, you may have anxiety, panic disorder, or panic attacks. Neck or Throat Changes Thyroid conditions can cause problems in your neck or throat. These disorders may cause changes you can see or feel, such as nodules or a goiter (thyroid enlargement) that may be related to an autoimmune thyroid disease or even thyroid cancer. Watch for: Swelling of the neckA "full" feeling in the neckVisibly enlarged neckEar and jaw painDiscomfort with turtlenecks or necktiesTrouble swallowing or breathingTenderness in the neckA hoarse, raspy voice Neck swelling is often a symptom of thyroid disease. It can also indicate serious conditions such as: CancerInfectionNeurological disease If part of your neck is enlarged, talk to your healthcare provider about it right away. Hair, Skin, and Nails Thyroid conditions affect your hormones. When they are out of balance, you may see changes in your hair, skin, and nails. Hypothyroidism or Underactive Thyroid Brittle, coarse, and dry hair Hair that breaks easily Loss of hair, especially on the outer edge of the eyebrows Thick, dry, and scaly skin, especially on the heels, knees, and elbows Brittle, thin, or dull nails Hyperthyroidism or Overactive Thyroid Severe hair loss Fine, thinning hair Increased skin sensitivity and smoothness Unusual skin rashes Bowel Habits Thyroid conditions can cause digestion problems. In hypothyroidism, you may have severe or persistent constipation. It might not respond to treatments. In hyperthyroidism, you may have diarrhea, loose stools, or irritable bowel syndrome. Menstruation and Fertility Thyroid conditions can increase your risk of infertility. This is especially true of hypothyroidism. It may make fertility treatments less effective. It can also raise your risk of having miscarriages. Thyroid issues may make your periods irregular, too. In hypothyroidism, you may have heavier periods, more period pain, or less time between periods.In hyperthyroidism, you may have shorter periods, lighter flow, and fewer or no periods. Eye Problems and Vision Changes Thyroid conditions can affect your eyes. You could have symptoms like these: Dryness Gritty feeling in the eye Blurred vision Redness Swollen, puffy, or watery eyes Sensitivity to light Double vision Proptosis or eye-bulging, a symptom of Graves' disease "Lid lag"—when your upper eyelid doesn't smoothly follow eye movement when you look down What Is Graves' Disease? Cognitive Problems "Brain fog" is a slowdown in your thinking abilities. It is common with hypothyroidism. Brain fog involves: Trouble concentratingShort-term and long-term memory problemsForgetfulnessLack of focusFeeling "spaced out"ConfusionTrouble thinking clearly Musculoskeletal System If your thyroid is underactive, you may have muscle aches and joint pain. Arms and legs often have the most trouble. For example, you may have pain or weakness in your upper arms or calves. Fibromyalgia-like pain is common for people with an underactive thyroid. This includes widespread, achy pain all over the body. You may also have a greater risk of carpal tunnel syndrome in your hands. This condition can cause weakness and pain in your forearms, wrists, hands, and fingers. Tarsal tunnel is also a risk. It causes weakness and pain in the shins, ankles, feet, and toes. Pain is often overlooked as a symptom of thyroid issues. Rare Thyroid Symptoms The signs and symptoms listed below are rare, but they could be some of the first tip-offs that your thyroid isn't working as it should. With Hypothyroidism Certain symptoms point to hypothyroidism. They include: High cholesterol: Your cholesterol level may stay high even after you change your diet, exercise, or take medications such as statins. Myxedema: A substance called hyaluronic acid can build up in the lower layer of the skin. The result is coarse hair and skin, puffiness, tongue enlargement, and hoarseness. With Hyperthyroidism Specific symptoms, such as skin rashes, are among those more commonly linked to an overactive thyroid. They include: Low cholesterol: Your cholesterol may stay too low despite your diet, weight, and exercise.Graves’ ophthalmopathy: The most notable symptom is bulging eyes. Your eyes may not be completely covered when your eyelids close.Rashes: Hyperthyroidism and Graves' disease can cause pretibial myxedema. It's also known as thyroid dermopathy. The skin on your shins may swell and turn red. In some cases, a bumpy rash known as miliaria can also appear on the face. Complications Some thyroid symptoms may seem more annoying than harmful. But your thyroid gland produces hormones that affect your heart, digestion, brain, bones, and more. You need a sound diagnosis sooner rather than later. Early treatment can lower the risk of complications. Hypothyroidism When left untreated, hypothyroidism can lead to other issues. Neuropathy: Low levels of thyroid hormones can lead to nerve damage. You might feel tingling and numbness in your hands and feet. A painful condition known as plantar fasciitis may also develop in your feet. It's brought on by fluid buildup around the nerves. Trouble conceiving a baby: Even a mildly underactive thyroid can affect ovulation, the release of an egg each month. It can also keep an embryo from implanting in the uterus. Pregnancy complications: Hypothyroidism raises the risk of miscarriage, placental abruption, preterm delivery, and neonatal death. Hashimoto's Thyroiditis Hypothyroidism is more common than hyperthyroidism. And Hashimoto's disease, also called Hashimoto's thyroiditis, is an autoimmune disorder that is the most common cause of hypothyroidism.It may advance slowly and there is no cure, but it is a highly treatable disorder. Hashimoto's Symptoms and Complications Hyperthyroidism Some serious complications can arise due to an overactive thyroid. Osteoporosis: Weak bones raise your risk of fractures or breaks even with minor bumps or falls. Atrial fibrillation: This heart arrhythmia can lead to serious problems like stroke or heart failure. It is more common in older people. Pregnancy complications: Moderate-to-severe hyperthyroidism can lead to preterm birth, stillbirth, and birth disorders. Fertility and Pregnancy Challenges With Thyroid Disease When to See Your Healthcare Provider If you have thyroid symptoms, visit your healthcare provider. To find out what's going on, they may: Give you a physical examAsk questions about your medical historyAsk for details about your symptomsGive you a blood test to check your thyroid levelsOrder imaging tests, such as a thyroid scan or ultrasound In most cases, thyroid conditions can be effectively treated. Thyroid Disease Doctor Discussion Guide Get our printable guide for your next doctor's appointment to help you ask the right questions. Download PDF Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. Certain thyroid symptoms call for emergency medical care. Thyroid storm is a rare but very serious condition. It occurs when hyperthyroidism isn't treated. Stressful events like surgery, trauma, or infection can trigger it. In a thyroid storm, symptoms ramp up to dangerous, even deadly, levels. You may have: A very fast heart rateHigh feverDiarrheaAgitationDeliriumLoss of consciousness Hypothyroidism can lead to another medical emergency. It's called myxedema coma. Myxedema coma is rare. It's triggered by trauma, infection, cold, and some medications. It causes body temperatures and blood pressure to drop. You may lose consciousness. This condition can cause death. A Word From Verywell Your thyroid produces hormones that affect many different organs and functions in your body. The symptoms differ depending on whether your thyroid is overactive or underactive. Contact your healthcare provider about thyroid symptoms as soon as possible for an accurate diagnosis and treatment. Frequently Asked Questions Can I check my thyroid at home? You can perform a thyroid "neck check" at home. Look for lumps on the thyroid gland. A swollen thyroid gland could indicate various thyroid conditions, including nodules, goiters, or thyroid cancer. Learn More: How to Do a Thyroid Neck Check Should you avoid certain foods with hyperthyroidism? There is no specific diet for hyperthyroidism. Still, some foods can affect your thyroid medications. Limit your iodine intake, and be mindful of soy, selenium, and cruciferous vegetables. Learn More: What to Eat With Hyperthyroidism At what age do thyroid problems start? With hypothyroidism, it more often affects people age 60 and older. It's also more common in biological females.Hyperthyroidism affects females more often too, but occurs in earlier decades of adulthood.Keep in mind that even children can have a thyroid disorder. Learn More: Symptoms of Thyroid Disease in Children Thyroid Disease Causes and Risk Factors 11 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Department of Health and Human Services. Office on Women's Health. Thyroid Disease. Schübel J, Feldkamp J, Bergmann A, Drossard W, Voigt K. Latent hypothyroidism in adults. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2017;114(25):430-438. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2017.0430 National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). Poppe K. Management of endocrine disease: Thyroid and female infertility: More questions than answers?! Eur J Endocrinol. 2021;184(4):R123-R135. doi: 10.1530/EJE-20-1284. Hernández-Sandí A, Quirós-Baltodano D, Oconitrillo-Chaves M. Delirium caused by suspending treatment of hypothyroidism. Ment Illn. 2016;8(2):6787. doi:10.4081/mi.2016.6787 National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Hashimoto's disease. Duntas LH, Brenta G. A renewed focus on the association between thyroid hormones and lipid metabolism. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2018;9:511. Published 2018 Sep 3. doi:10.3389/fendo.2018.00511 Gupta N, Arora M, Sharma R, Arora KS. Peripheral and central nervous system involvement in recently diagnosed cases of hypothyroidism: An electrophysiological study. Ann Med Health Sci Res. 2016;6(5):261-266. doi:10.4103/amhsr.amhsr_39_16 American Thyroid Association. Thyroiditis. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Hypothyroidism (Underactive Thyroid). National Health Service. Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism). Additional Reading Iwen KA, Oelkrug R, Kalscheuer H, Brabant G. Metabolic syndrome in thyroid disease. Front Horm Res. 2018;49:48-66. doi: 10.1159/000485996. Epub Uygur MM, Yoldemir T, Yavuz DG. Thyroid disease in the perimenopause and postmenopause period. Climacteric. 2018 Oct 8:1-7. doi: 10.1080/13697137.2018.1514004. Vashishtha M, Varghese B, Mosley F, Kadakia A, de Jager W. Screening for thyroid dysfunction and diabetes in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. Surgeon. 2016 Jun;14(3):147-9. doi: 10.1016/j.surge.2014.11.003. Epub By Mary Shomon Mary Shomon is a writer and hormonal health and thyroid advocate. She is the author of "The Thyroid Diet Revolution." 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