2. Winter blues or thyroid bad news? The winter blues are something many of us wrestle with come January. But if you find yourself sad or anxious more than you can remember for this time of year, consider getting your thyroid checked. When your thyroid is running too hard (hyperthyroidism), you feel jittery. When it’s running too low (hypothyroidism), your mood sinks low, too.
3. Your weight changes for no reason, not even the season? Gaining weight around the holidays is not uncommon. But if you’ve been working to keep your calorie count down and your exercise time up with no noticeable results, it may not be your habits that are to blame for your gain. Since the thyroid controls your metabolism in part, unexplained weight gain may be a sign your gland is in trouble, so get it checked in addition to hitting the gym.
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4. Throat woes but not blowing your nose? Sore throats go hand-in-hand with January, when colds and the flu seem to be everywhere. But if your throat hurts and no cold appears, it may be your thyroid sending out an SOS signal. Hoarseness, soreness or the feeling of a lump in your throat may be a sign to schedule some time with your healthcare provider.
5. Sleep that fails to refresh? Sleeping eight hours, but still bleary-eyed in the morning? Dragging yourself out of bed every day? If you’ve tackled everything you think is keeping you tired – cutting out alcohol and caffeine, removing electronics from the bedroom, going to bed earlier – and are still struggling in the morning, it could be your thyroid. Both overactive and underactive thyroids can cause you to have night sweats, keeping you from getting the rest you need. See your healthcare provider to find out more.
To learn more about your thyroid and to find more resources, please visit the American Thyroid Association at http://www.thyroid.org.