The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in your neck that controls how your body uses energy. It affects everything from your metabolism to your heart rate.

When the thyroid doesn’t work properly, it can cause serious health problems—but many people don’t realize they have a thyroid disorder until symptoms become severe.

Thyroid disorders, such as hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), often develop gradually. Because early symptoms can be mild or mistaken for other issues, thyroid problems frequently go undetected.

To catch thyroid issues early, watch for these six warning signs:

1. Unexplained Fatigue or Restlessness

• Feeling exhausted even after a full night’s sleep? This could be a sign of hypothyroidism, where your thyroid isn’t producing enough hormones to keep your energy levels stable.
• On the other hand, if you’re feeling restless, anxious, or having trouble sleeping, your thyroid could be overactive (hyperthyroidism), speeding up your metabolism too much.

2. Sudden Weight Changes

• Unexplained weight gain could be linked to an underactive thyroid, slowing your metabolism and making it harder to burn calories.
• Unintended weight loss, despite eating normally or more than usual, might be a sign of an overactive thyroid burning energy too fast.

3. Changes in Mood and Mental Clarity

• Feeling depressed or forgetful? A sluggish thyroid can affect brain function, leading to memory problems, brain fog, and low mood.
• Feeling overly anxious or irritable? An overactive thyroid can cause nervousness, agitation, or difficulty concentrating.

4. Hair Thinning or Hair Loss

• Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can cause hair to become brittle, thin, or fall out. This includes scalp hair, eyebrows, and even body hair.
• If you’ve noticed excessive shedding or changes in hair texture, your thyroid may be struggling to regulate hair growth.

5. Feeling Too Cold or Too Hot

• If you constantly feel cold, even in warm weather, it may be due to an underactive thyroid slowing down your body’s ability to regulate temperature.
• If you overheat easily or sweat excessively, your thyroid might be overactive, making your metabolism run too fast.

6. Changes in Skin and Nails

• Dry, rough skin and brittle nails may signal hypothyroidism, as the body slows down processes like skin cell renewal.
• Thin, soft skin and excessive sweating can point to hyperthyroidism, causing skin to feel unusually warm or moist.

When to See a Doctor

If you notice any of these symptoms, don’t ignore them. Thyroid disorders are manageable with proper treatment, but early detection is key. A simple blood test can check your thyroid hormone levels.

Have you noticed any of these symptoms in yourself or a loved one? It might be time for a checkup. Don’t let thyroid issues go unnoticed—your health depends on it.