Thyroid symptoms

Overview

Thyroid disease is common and often missed. Hypothyroidism slows everything down; hyperthyroidism speeds it up.

Symptoms to watch for

• Hypothyroid: fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, constipation, dry skin, hair thinning, heavy periods, low mood
• Hyperthyroid: weight loss, heat intolerance, anxiety, tremor, palpitations, loose stools, insomnia, exophthalmos (Graves)

How it's diagnosed

TSH is the first screen. Add free T4, free T3, antibodies (TPO, TSI) as indicated.

Treatment

Hypothyroid: levothyroxine, titrated to TSH goal. Hyperthyroid: methimazole, radioactive iodine, or surgery depending on cause.