15 Signs You Are Having Thyroid Problems (#9 is Really Surprising!)

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Every human being has a thyroid gland: a small, butterfly-shaped gland right near the center of the neck. It might be small, but it is certainly powerful.

Many people consider the thyroid the “king” gland when it comes to metabolism and making hormones. Your thyroid controls the function of so many of our vital organs, including the kidneys, liver, heart, skin, and brain. When the thyroid does not function properly, our bodies can suffer tremendously.

Thyroid problems are more common than you might think, and they can cause many physical, emotional, and hormonal changes in the body. It’s thought that perhaps 59 million Americans suffer from some type of thyroid problem, but perhaps half that many are not even aware that they have a problem.

The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists state that millions of people suffer with thyroid problems because most of the symptoms go unnoticed or perhaps even misdiagnosed.

Although symptoms can vary from person to person and not every symptom means that you have a thyroid problem, if you have been suffering from certain health problems and your doctor has yet to discover what the underlying cause is, you might want to consider asking your physician to test your thyroid.

Take a look at the top 15 symptoms of thyroid dysfunction and talk to the doctor about which ones are affecting you.

1. You Have Fuzzy Brain

You might chalk this up to a lack of sleep or to your age, or maybe even stress overload, but when your thyroid is out of whack, your brain takes a big hit as well. Hyperthyroidism (when your thyroid puts out too many hormones) can cause problems with concentration, and hypothyroidism (of course, when your thyroid does not put out enough hormones) can result in a general brain fog and periods of forgetfulness. When patients are treated for their thyroid problems they are often shocked at clearly they can think again. Ladies, if you think your brain fog is a symptom of menopause, ask your doctor if it could be your thyroid.

2. You Are Always Tired

Although fatigue is a symptom of many different health problems, it is also common for those with thyroid issues.

Some people find that they don’t have the energy to go all day without taking a nap. Still others find that they can’t sleep well at night, so they are exhausted during the day. If you find that you are constantly tired and feel that you have tried everything to resolve it but that nothing works, ask your doctor for a thyroid test.

3. Your Taste Buds Went South

If everything suddenly seems to smell strange or taste strange, it might be your thyroid. This can affect your appetite, causing you to lose weight without trying. You might think that many things smell like rotting oranges or nuts, none of which is pleasant. If any of these things sound familiar to you, see your doctor to confirm the diagnosis.

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