There is one common problem in the UK, with around one in 20 people suffering with the issue. However, it can take several years to be diagnosed because the symptoms mimic other conditions.
A recent study by academics at the University of Aberdeen and leading thyroid charities found that it took an average of four and a half years for a thyroid condition to be diagnosed. The study of around 1,200 patients found that in almost two thirds of cases it took a number of appointments and a worsening of symptoms before a diagnosis was made.
The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the neck, just in front of the windpipe (trachea, reports ChronicleLive. It produces hormones that affect functions including your heart rate and body temperature. One of its primary jobs is to help regulate the body's metabolism - the process that turns food into energy. You can get more story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.
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Having too much or too little of these hormones - called triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) - can cause unpleasant and potentially serious problems that may need treatment. An overactive thyroid can affect anyone, but it's about 10 times more common in women than men, and typically happens between 20 and 40 years of age.
Underactive thyroid symptoms
Symptoms of an underactive thyroid usually develop slowly, so you may not notice them for years, according to the NHS. For example, if you are at an age where you may be expecting the menopause, you may think you have started the menopause rather than having an underactive thyroid.
Symptoms of an underactive thyroid can include:
Tiredness
Weight gain
Depression
Being sensitive to the cold
Dry skin and hair
Muscle aches
Overactive thyroid symptoms
An overactive thyroid can cause a wide range of symptoms. The NHS lists these as including:
Nervousness, anxiety and irritability
Mood swings
Difficulty sleeping
Persistent tiredness and weakness
Sensitivity to heat
Swelling in your neck from an enlarged thyroid gland (goitre)
An irregular and/or unusually fast heart rate (palpitations)
Twitching or trembling
Weight loss
If you are experiencing the symptoms of either an underactive or overactive thyroid you should make an appointment with your GP. The only way of finding out whether you have a thyroid problem is to have a thyroid function test, which involves having a sample of your blood tested to measure your hormone levels.
Treatment for a thyroid problem usually involves taking medication. An underactive thyroid is treated with daily hormone replacement tablets called levothyroxine to raise your thyroxine levels, while an overactive thyroid is typically treated with medicine that stops your thyroid producing too much of these hormones. Patients can find more information and support on the British Thyroid Foundation website.
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