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Understanding Thyroid Problems - Symptoms
What Are the Symptoms of Thyroid Problems?
Hyperthyroidism:
- Weight loss despite increased appetite
- Increased heart rate, heart palpitations, higher blood pressure, nervousness, and excessive perspiration
- More frequent bowel movements, sometimes with diarrhea
- Muscle weakness, trembling hands
- Development of a goiter (an enlargement in your neck)
- Lighter or shorter menstrual periods
Hypothyroidism:
- Lethargy, slower mental processes or depression
- Reduced heart rate
- Increased sensitivity to cold
- Tingling or numbness in the hands
- Development of a goiter (an enlargement in your neck)
- Constipation, heavy menstrual periods or dry skin and hair
Subacute thyroiditis:
- Mild to severe pain in the thyroid gland
- The thyroid feels tender to the touch
- Pain or discomfort when swallowing or turning your head
- Appearance of these symptoms shortly after a viral infection, such as the flu, mumps, or measles
Call Your Doctor If:
- You are feverish, agitated, or delirious, and have a rapid pulse; you could be having a thyrotoxic crisis, a sudden and dangerous complication of hyperthyroidism.
- You feel intensely cold, drowsy and lethargic; you could be experiencing a myxedema coma, a sudden and dangerous complication of hypothyroidism that can cause unconsciousness and possibly death.
WebMD Medical Reference
Reviewed by
John A. Seibel, MD on November 23, 2008
© 2008 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
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