Do You Have Thyroid Disease?

Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in your neck, just above your collarbone. It is one of your endocrine glands, which make hormones. The thyroid helps set your metabolism–how your body gets energy from the foods you eat. According to the National Institute of Health, millions of people in the U.S. have thyroid diseases. Most of them are women. If you have a thyroid disease, your body uses energy more slowly or quickly than it should. A thyroid gland that is not active enough, called hypothyroidism, is far more common. It can make you gain weight, feel fatigued and have difficulty dealing with cold temperatures. If your thyroid is too active, it makes more thyroid hormones than your body needs. That condition is hyperthyroidism. Too much thyroid hormone can make you lose weight, speed up your heart rate and make you very sensitive to heat.

Do you have thyroid disease? Answer these questions and check your score below.

Do you…
have thick or brittle fingernails?
have dry skin or frequently irritated eyes?
have a hoarse voice?
have thinning hair, hair loss, or coarse hair?
have thinning of the outer third of your eyebrows?
have cold hands and feet?
sweat excessively?
have excess fatigue?
have irregularities in your menstral cycle?
have a low sex drive?
have severe menopausal or PMS symptoms?
have frequently swollen hands and feet?
have blood pressure or heart-rate problems?
have high cholesterol?
have trouble remembering or concentrating?
have changes in weight for no apparent reason?
have depression, moodiness, anxiety, or irritability?
have muscle fatigue, pain, or weakness?
have a diagnosed autoimmune disease?
have a history of radiation treatments?
have a history of exposure to toxins?
have a family history of thyroid problems?

Scoring:
If you answered “yes” to fewer than two questions, your thyroid is probably healthy.
If you answered “yes” to 2 to 4 questions, you�re at mild risk for thyroid problems.
If you answered “yes” to 4 or more questions, you have a significant risk of thyroid problems.

Sources: Mark Hyman, MD, and Mary Shomon

Read more: Conditions, General Health, Health

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Terry V.

12:26PM PDT on Apr 28, 2013

noted

April 28
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Nils Anders L.

9:18AM PDT on Mar 23, 2013

March 23
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Danuta W.

1:33AM PDT on Mar 23, 2013

Thanks for this article.

Birgit W.

12:22PM PST on Feb 10, 2013

Thanks

February 10
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Laura R.

1:05PM PST on Dec 16, 2012

I was wondering if I had hyperthyreoidism, because I hardly gain any weight, no matter what I eat. But my heart rate is reeeeally low, and the rest also doesn't fit in, so I guess my thyreoid is fine =)

December 16
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Dale O.

8:24AM PDT on Jul 31, 2012

Interesting and informative article, have some friends with this condition and fatigue is certainly a part of it before being diagnosed.

July 31
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jayasri a.

5:22PM PST on Jan 25, 2012

thank you

January 25
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Lali L.

1:04AM PDT on Mar 18, 2011

Thanks for this info. I'm trying to navigate this maze currently. Even when my number is within range, I have many symptoms and getting more. Searching for a Dr. who will listen to me.

March 18
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Chavonne H.

2:38PM PST on Feb 18, 2011

wow, thanks for sharing, alot of good info.

February 18
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Santanita G.

11:15PM PST on Nov 20, 2010

ya. I have been to several. They all say there is nothing wrong with me. I know there is. I answered yes to 16 of the questions. So now what? I dont want to take any western drugs. So far all that I have been given give me migraines, or hives. Trying to find and herbal alternative.