NHS symptoms of 'silent killer' that affects 1 in 20 in their lifetime

Thyroid cancer, a silent killer that affects 1 in 20 of us, often goes unnoticed due to its symptoms being easily mistaken for other conditions.

This disease takes an average of 4.5 years to diagnose, a delay which can prove fatal for some sufferers. This alarming discovery was made by researchers at the University of Aberdeen and leading thyroid charities, sparking urgent calls for Brits to become more aware of the symptoms.

The NHS warns that these signs can develop slowly, creating a perfect storm for missed warnings. The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located near our windpipe that produces hormones controlling essential body functions such as heart rate and body temperature. It also plays a role in metabolism - the process of converting food into energy - meaning those with the disease are prone to weight gain.

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The hormones triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) are produced in the thyroid, and cancer can cause the gland to produce either too much or too little of these hormones, potentially causing severe damage to the body. Thyroid cancer can affect anyone, but it's particularly prevalent in women, who are 10 times more likely to be diagnosed than men.

The disease typically presents itself relatively young, usually between 20 and 40, and Brits are being reminded of all the telltale signs, reports the Mirror.

Symptoms of an underactive thyroid are regularly mistaken for other conditions such as depression, and they usually come on slowly, so you may not notice them for years, according to the NHS. Patients at the age where they may be expecting the menopause could easily be mistaken for thinking signs of an underactive thyroid could be just that.

Underactive thyroid symptoms:

• Tiredness

• Weight gain

• Depression

• Being sensitive to the cold

• Dry skin and hair

• Muscle aches

Overactive thyroid symptoms:

Signs of an overactive thyroid however include other symptoms, such as sleeping problems and heart palpitations. 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

Anyone experiencing multiple symptoms should make an appointment with their GP who can carry out a thyroid function test, which involves having a sample of your blood tested to measure your hormone levels. Treatment for thyroid conditions usually involves prescribed 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.

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