Red flag symptoms which could be a sign of thyroid disease

These red flag symptoms could be a sign of thyroid disease.

The thyroid gland creates hormones that control vital functions in the body, but having an excess or lack of the hormone can cause thyroid disease, leading to muscle aches, feeling tired and fluctuations in weight.

Hyperthyroidism is where the gland produces too much of the hormone whilst hypothyroidism is when there is a lack of. A lack of the thyroid hormone is more common than you think; 2% of the UK population suffer with this, and women are five to 10 times more likely to be affected than men.

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In light of World Thyroid Day on Saturday, May 25, medical negligence experts at Patient Claim Line have released advice on what symptoms to look out for. This is what experts said:

What are the symptoms of thyroid disease?

“Tiredness and muscle aches are common signs that you may have thyroid disease as well as feeling sensitive when in cold and hot temperatures. An underactive thyroid is also known to cause depression in many sufferers.”

“According to the NHS, elderly people suffering from an underactive thyroid may have an increased risk of memory loss whilst children may experience slower development leading up to puberty.”

“An overactive thyroid can also manifest itself in swelling in the neck from an enlarged thyroid gland, as experienced by our clients. This swelling is usually painless, but it can create a cough, difficulty speaking and a wheezing noise when breathing.”

Who is at greater risk of getting thyroid disease?

“Thyroid disease can affect anyone but, according to the NHS, it is more common in women than men and usually occurs between the ages of 20 and 40 years old.”

“Genetics also play a huge role, with research from Verywell suggesting that approximately 64% of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and 65% of thyroid hormones, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) concentrations are genetically determined. This means that if you have a close family member with the disorder, you’re at an increased risk of developing a thyroid condition.”

“If your family also has a history of medical conditions such as anaemia or lupus, you may be at a higher risk of thyroid disease. If you suffer from an autoimmune disorder (such as type 1 diabetes) you are likely to develop an additional autoimmune disorder like thyroid disease.”

“If you’re a smoker, quitting can reduce your risk of thyroid disease as cigarette smoke contains toxins that alter the functioning of your thyroid.”

How can I find out if I have thyroid disease?

“We would recommend visiting your GP if you think you may have thyroid disease, where you will likely undertake a thyroid function test. This is where a sample of blood is taken to measure your hormone levels. If it is determined that you have a lack of hormones, not being produced properly by your thyroid, your doctor could recommend hormone replacement therapy.”

How should a medical professional treat thyroid disease?

“To treat thyroid disease, initially a medical professional should take regular blood tests to measure your hormone levels. To treat hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid) a medical professional may prescribe levothyroxine, which essentially replaces the hormone the thyroid doesn’t make enough of.”

“To treat an overactive thyroid, thionamide medicines such as carbimazole and propylthiouracil, should be taken for around 12 to 18 months. In most cases, these medicines can create side effects like sickness, aches, and a high temperature. If there is no improvement following a treatment of medication, radioactive iodine treatment (a form of radiotherapy) is often recommended to destroy cells in the thyroid gland. If this is unsuccessful, surgery should be recommended.”

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