What Are Symptoms of Thyroid Problems?
- Symptoms of thyroid cancer include a hard (but painless) lump on the neck, difficulty in swallowing food or liquids, hoarseness or other change in the voice, sleep apnea, and any pain in the neck area, jaw area, or ear.
- Symptoms of hypothyroidism include an unusually slow pulse rate, high blood pressure and an inability to tolerate cold or the sensation that you are cold even in warm temperatures. Other possible symptoms are slower reflexes, depression, digestion difficulties (acid reflux, bloating, or constipation) and sluggishness.
- Mental symptoms of hyperthyroidism include nervousness, irritability, being easy to anger, having disordered thoughts, paranoia, delusions, depression, anxiety and euphoric mood swings.
- Physical symptoms of hyperthyroidism include lack of energy, poor libido, weight loss, rapid heartbeat, more frequent bowel movements, eye changes (the eyeball may protrude and the whites of the eyes may be bloodshot), being easy to bruise, an enlarged thyroid gland (goiter) that is easily seen on the neck, heat intolerance, infertility, low blood sugar and heart palpitations.
- Thyroiditis, or an inflamed thyroid gland, may have many of the same symptoms of hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. You may also develop a goiter. The first symptoms will likely be a sore throat, or flu-like symptoms. You may have sharp, stabbing pains in your neck, swelling, tenderness and difficulty swallowing. When visiting the doctor for this, be sure to point out the exact area of pain or swelling, or the condition may be misdiagnosed as a sore throat.