by Veronika Lazabal

Created on: July 22, 2008   Last Updated: April 30, 2011

The thyroid is a tiny, butterfly-like gland found at the front of the neck. It's amazing that two miniscule lobes and a bit of tissue can cause so much trouble! Under the control of the pituitary gland, the thyroid absorbs iodine and produces thyroid hormones, known as T3 and T4. When it's working properly, the thyroid gland helps keep our bodies in tune and running properly. When it's not working, that same gland can make life miserable.

Hyperthyroidism (over active thyroid) and hypothyroidism (under active thyroid) affect millions of people. Could your symptoms signal a thyroid condition? Because the signs and symptoms are so varied, thyroid diseases are often overlooked or misdiagnosed. If you are suffering from any combination of the symptoms below, see an endocrinologist. The sooner a thyroid condition is treated, the faster you can get your life back.

SYMPTOMS OF HYPOTHYROIDISM (under active thyroid)

The symptoms of an under active thyroid gland can often be subtle. The thyroid is not producing enough T3 and T4 hormones, causing your body to slow its functioning down to a crawl. Your metabolism is therefore slowing, and the symptoms correspond accordingly. Some of the warning signs include:

Depression
Fatigue
Weight gain
Excessive sleepiness; or waking up exhausted after a full night's sleep
Dry or coarse hair
Brittle nails
Mild to severe constipation
Dry or flaky skin
Muscle cramps
Aches and Pains
Unexplained rise in cholesterol levels
Swelling in the legs
Trouble concentrating

SYMPTOMS OF HYPERTHYROIDISM (over active thyroid)

Hyperthyroidism occurs when your thyroid goes crazy, and produces far too much thyroid hormone. Because the symptoms of a hyper active thyroid can begin subtly and then increase in intensity as time goes by, it may be weeks or even months before a person realizes they are sick at all.

Heat intolerance (always feeling hotter than the people around you)
Palpitations (a hard or irregular heartbeat)
Shaking in the hands
Nervousness
Insomnia
Fatigue
Weight loss
Weight gain
Breathlessness
Irregular menstrual periods (or periods that seem to disappear altogether)
Diarrhea
Muscle weakness or pain
Swelling of the fingers
Hair loss
Brittle nail
Coarse hair
Warm or moist skin
Depression

Thyroid diseases can be hard to diagnose, and often the symptoms go by unnoticed. Keep careful track of how you are feeling, and tell your doctor everything- even if you think it is "unimportant". Communication with your physician is the key to getting you on the right course of treatment.

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