Chris Kamara discusses his underactive thyroid diagnosis
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The thyroid is a neck gland that sits on the front of the throat and is responsible for several regulatory functions. Hormones it produces help regulate some of the body’s most vital components, including heart, muscular and digestive function. When conditions impact its activity, they will leave people experiencing a range of symptoms.
Overactive thyroid
An overactive thyroid produces hormone concentrations beyond the usual level.
Overactive thyroids will cause triiodothyronine and thyroxine to surge, causing other conditions like Graves’ disease.
How symptoms present will depend on the person, as they can manifest gradually or suddenly.
Overactive thyroid symptoms include:
- Irritability, anxiety and nervousness
- Hyperactivity
- Mood swings
- Trouble sleeping
- Constant fatigue
- Heat sensitivity
- Muscle weakness
- Diarrhoea
- Decreased libido
- Itchiness
- Constant thirst
- Underactive thyroid
Underactive thyroid
An underactive thyroid lies on the opposite end of the spectrum and, as the name suggests, develops when the thyroid is not producing enough hormones.
Thyroid activity may drop when the immune system attacks and damages the gland or following treatments for related conditions.
People can usually rectify symptoms caused by an underactive thyroid with medication.
Symptoms of an underactive thyroid include:
- Cold sensitivity
- Tiredness
- Weight gain
- Constipation
- Depression
- Slow movements and thoughts
- Muscle weakness and aches
- Brittle hair and nails
- Irregular or heavy periods
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Dry and scaly skin
- Low libido
Thyroid cancer
Doctors and health professionals stress thyroid cancer is the least likely thyroid issue people will develop.
Roughly one to two percent of people will receive a thyroid cancer diagnosis during their lifetime, and it primarily impacts those aged over 30.
But it is still a possibility when people experience symptoms associated with a thyroid condition.
Thyroid cancer symptoms include:
- A sore throat that does not get better
- Difficulty swallowing
- A painless lump or swelling on the front of the neck
- Swollen neck glands
- Hoarseness with no apparent cause that does not resolve on its own after a few weeks
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