Severe and constant fatigue Changes in the menstrual cycle Constipation Depression Dry, coarse hair Hair loss Dry skin Disturbed sleep cycle, such as wanting to sleep all the time Intolerance to cold Decreased heart rate Muscle weakness Unexplained weight gain or difficulty losing weight

Rapid heart rate or palpitations Increased respiratory rate Frequent and loose bowel movements or diarrhea Fine hair that may be falling out Unexplained weight loss Nervousness, irritability, a feeling of high energy Anxiety or panic attacks Psychosis Moodiness Intolerance to heat Sweatiness Reddish skin which may be itchy

For example, gaining weight may be due to eating more or exercising less, and not due to thyroid disease. Feeling nervous or anxious may be due to a new job or an underlying mental health issue. Skin dryness can be due to low humidity or not enough healthy fats in the diet. Constipation can be due to not enough fiber in your diet or a number of digestive conditions while diarrhea can be due to digestive conditions or food sensitivities.

Make sure the lighting is good enough so that you can see clearly.

Being tired alone is not enough to indicate a thyroid problem, as tiredness and fatigue can be caused by many things.

Thyroid disorders can be silent for a long time. The body has a number of mechanisms to compensate for thyroid dysfunction; however, don’t hesitate to ask your physician to run tests if you are concerned about your thyroid function.

Since the thyroid is controlled via TSH from the pituitary, sometimes what looks like thyroid disease may actually be due to pituitary problems, though this is rare. Low TSH may indicate an overactive thyroid, while high TSH may indicate an underactive thyroid. High levels of free T4 or T3 may point to a hyperactive thyroid, while low levels may point to a hypoactive thyroid. Your doctor will be able to interpret your results and let you know where your TSH levels fall.

These additional tests include: an iodine uptake scan, thyroid ultrasound, measurement of thyroid antibodies, or a thyroid needle biopsy if nodules are detected. [11] X Research source