According to the American Thyroid Association, approximately 20 million people are affected by thyroid disease — 60 percent of them unaware that they have it. It is estimated that 200 million people in the world have some form of thyroid disease. They can be tricky to diagnose since the symptoms tend to be subtle and can easily be mistaken for symptoms of other health disorders. Here are some of the most common red flags to watch out for.

1. SWELLING IN THE NECK

Neck inflammation is probably the most obvious symptom that something is wrong with the thyroid. This symptom should be treated seriously, as inflammation in this area can also mean the presence of nodules or cancer.

2. HAIR LOSS

Hair loss is a symptom shared by both those suffering from hyper- and hypothyroidism.

3. CONSTIPATION.

Constipation is another symptom that accompanies hypothyroidism that can be overlooked simply due to the fact that many believe it’s a result of diet.
The lack of thyroid hormone in the body can result in challenged digestive processing.

4. A SWOLLEN OR PUFFY FACE.

Someone’s face can seem swollen or puffier than usual for a number of reasons, which is why this symptom often isn’t followed up on with a medical professional. It’s just another common symptom of hypothyroidism.

5. HIGH BLOOD CHOLESTEROL.

Masked as a problem with your diet, this symptom can go unnoticed when related to the thyroid.

6. SENSITIVITY TO LOW TEMPERATURES.

People wouldn’t ever expect that feeling cold could easily be a sign of an underlying health issue.

7. HEAVIER THAN NORMAL MENSTRUAL BLEEDING.

Irregular or heavy menstruation has been associated with an under active thyroid.

8. WEIGHT GAIN.

It may be more difficult to shed pounds if your thyroid isn’t functioning properly.

9. SWEATING AT RANDOM TIMES

Sweating during untimely hours or excessive sweating when you shouldn’t be shows signs of a hyperactive thyroid. The higher than normal hormone levels can rev up your metabolism, making you feel overly warm and exhausted. This could also end up making you feel tired and dehydrated. If you get the feeling that you are sweating more than usual then it is advised that you look into the matter more closely.

10. CHANGE IN SLEEP PATTERNS

You’ve been a deep sleeper but suddenly you can’t sleep well at night anymore. An overactive thyroid pumps out T3 and T4 hormones in excess, which can overstimulate the central nervous system, leading to insomnia. If you end up spending night after night in bed worrying about random things then you might have a problem. Insomnia if not treated could lead to many other health disorders like weight loss, weight gain, hair loss, fatigue, anxiety, and depression.

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