Exploring Undiagnosed Thyroid Problems

According to recent studies, people who have undiagnosed thyroid problems, such as under active or overactive thyroid, appear to have a modestly increased risk of heart disease than those that are treating their thyroid disease by following the advise of a health care professional. It is estimated that over 30,000 preventable deaths a year occur from heart attacks each year in the United States. Further, it is surmised that women with untreated hypothyroidism are more than twice as likely to have a heart attack.

What are the symptoms or warning signs of a thyroid problem?

Signs to watch out for include symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety, unexplained weight gain or loss, hair loss, depression, and palpitations. These symptoms may indicate that you possibly have an undiagnosed thyroid disease.

What causes thyroid problems?

Thyroid malfunction is more often than not due to an autoimmune response by the body. This is where the body's immune system produces antibodies which attack the gland and then cause hormone production to be disturbed. Generally the cause is due to intensified levels of dangerous toxins such as chlorinated substances, viruses, pathogens, infections, pesticides, altered enzymes or hormones, etc.

Patients diagnosed with hypothyroidism, a condition in which abnormally low activity of the thyroid gland is present, reported a greater percentage of symptoms than did those with no thyroid issues whatsoever. Hypothyroid patients reported more total symptoms than euthyroid individuals, or those with a normally functioning thyroid gland. But it is important to point out that no single symptom was an indicator of thyroid failure. While there was an increase in the likelihood of thyroid disease as the number of reported symptoms increased, these symptoms are most often inconsequential and develop after time so they go unnoticed.

What steps should be taken?

If you suspect that you may have an undiagnosed thyroid disease, it is highly recommended that you contact a trained health care professional. Testing for thyroid disease is easy to complete with a simple blood test and can help you get on the road towards feeling better.