Symptoms of Thyroid

Overview Of The Thyroid Gland

Before we delve into the symptoms, let us learn what the thyroid gland actually is. It is a large, ductless, butterfly-shaped endocrine gland located at the anterior of the neck just beneath the Adam’s apple. This gland produces hormones responsible for regulating temperature, heartbeat, and metabolism.

Thyroid disorders are quite common and it has the potential to cause drastically debilitating symptoms. The symptoms of thyroid can be attributed to excessive or inadequate secretions of hormones by the thyroid gland. The disease also causes inflammation of the thyroid gland, causing discomfort and difficulty in swallowing.

Types of Thyroid Disorders

Following are some of the common disorders related to the thyroid gland:

• Hyperthyroidism

The disorder in which the thyroid gland is overactive and produces large quantities of the thyroid hormone.

• Hypothyroidism

A condition in which the thyroid gland becomes underactive or sluggish and does not produce enough thyroid hormone.

Thyroid Symptoms

Most thyroid disorders show varying symptoms, therefore, it is important to note that none of these symptoms is specific to a particular thyroid disease. They could also be caused by some underlying medical condition.

1. Nervousness – A Hyperthyroidism symptom, agitation.
2. Tachycardia – An abnormal increase in the rate of the heartbeat.
3. Menstrual changes – This could be affected by both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. A patient with hypothyroidism experiences reduced menstrual flow due to abnormal changes in their hormones. In very rare cases, the absence of menstruation or heavy menstrual flow is also observed with this disorder. Hyperthyroidism is associated with prolonged or excessive menstrual bleeding.
4. Bloating – Fluid retention causes the feeling of being “bloated.” Also causes puffy eyes, face and swollen ankles.
5. Lack of Concentration – Mental acuity is reduced, depression can set in.

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