It's thought that one in 20 people in the UK suffer from a thyroid problem - but because the symptoms overlap with a range of other conditions, it can take years for the health condition to be diagnosed.
A new study by academics at the University of Aberdeen in collaboration with several leading thyroid charities found that it takes an average of 4.5 years for a thyroid condition to be diagnosed. The study, which looked at the experience of almost 1,200 patients, found that in almost two thirds of cases it took multiple appointments and a worsening of the severity of symptoms before a diagnosis was made.
The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the neck, just in front of the windpipe (trachea). It produces hormones that affect things such as your heart rate and body temperature - one of its main functions is to produce hormones that help regulate the body's metabolism, the process that turns food into energy.
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These hormones are called triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), and having too much or not enough of them can cause unpleasant and potentially serious problems that may need treatment. An overactive thyroid can affect anyone, but it's about 10 times more common in women than men, and typically happens between 20 and 40 years of age.
Underactive thyroid symptoms
Symptoms of an underactive thyroid are often similar to those of other conditions, and they usually develop slowly, so you may not notice them for years, according to the NHS. For example, if you are at an age where you may be expecting the menopause, you may think you have started the menopause rather than having an underactive thyroid.
Symptoms of an underactive thyroid can include:
- Tiredness
- Weight gain
- Depression
- Being sensitive to the cold
- Dry skin and hair
- Muscle aches
Overactive thyroid symptoms
An overactive thyroid can cause a wide range of symptoms. 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
You should make an appointment with your GP if you are experiencing the symptoms of either an underactive or overactive thyroid. The only way of finding out whether you have a thyroid problem is to have a thyroid function test, which involves having a sample of your blood tested to measure your hormone levels.
Treatment for a thyroid problem usually involves taking 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.
Patients can find more information and support on the British Thyroid Foundation website.
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