A new study has found that it takes an average of four-and-a-half years to be diagnosed with a thyroid condition. Academics at the University of Aberdeen teamed up with several thyroid charities to look at the experience of almost 1,200 patients.
It found that, in almost two thirds of cases, it took multiple appointments and worsening symptoms before a diagnosis was made. That led to the conclusion that on average it takes more than four years to be diagnosed.
Around one in 20 people in the UK suffer from a thyroid issue. However, because symptoms can overlap with various other conditions, it can be difficult to diagnose.
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, reports ChronicleLive.
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
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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.
