20 Signs You Need to Get Your Thyroid Checked

The thyroid, a small, butterfly-shaped gland that sits at the base of your neck between your voice box and collarbone, is crucial for feeling good and having a healthy life. Thyroids make and store hormones that play a role in nearly every organ in our bodies. If something's off, you're going to notice. You just might not know your thyroid is to blame. Here are some reasons you might want to get your thyroid checked.

One signal is that you're suffering depression without any obvious triggers.

If routine blood work comes back with reports of high cholesterol, even though your diet hasn't changed much, it could be a sign your thyroid isn't producing enough thyroid hormones. This results in increased thyroid-stimulating hormone levels—called hypothyroidism—which leads to increased levels of some kinds of cholesterol.

A 2007 study found a link between thyroid disorder and high blood pressure. When the thyroid gland doesn't produce enough thyroid hormone, hypothyroidism (or, when it overproduces thyroid hormone, hyperthyroidism), people might experience high blood pressure.

One of the two main hormones produced by thyroids, triiodothyronine or T3, helps to regulate our metabolism. Even small changes in the production or absorption can change things like body weight and energy levels.

Thyroids impact every organ in the body, and the gut and bowel are no exceptions. Studies are finding a connection between over- and underproduction of the thyroid hormone (both hypo- and hyperthyroidism) and gastrointestinal issues.

Among the symptoms of hypothyroidism, underproduction of the thyroid hormone, is painful joints, stiffness, swelling and even carpel tunnel syndrome. In its most common form, hypothyroidism puts you at higher risk for developing rheumatoid arthritis.

People whose thyroids aren't producing enough thyroid hormones—or those who have thyroids with maladapted hormone receptors—may experience crushing fatigue at all hours of the day.

On the other hand, poorly functioning thyroids may also be the cause of your inability to fall and stay asleep. Hyperthyroidism overstimulates the nervous system, disrupting sleep, causing night sweats and making it hard to fall asleep.

An under-active thyroid, hypothyroidism, may be the reason you always feel cold. Under production of the thyroid hormone affects the nervous system, metabolism and all your organs.

Thyroids control menstrual cycles, and changes in how you experience your period could be due to thyroid problems. Too much thyroid hormone may make your periods either very light, very heavy or irregular. Thyroid disease could also cause your periods to stop altogether. Thyroid disease can also impact ovaries and cause early menopause.

An under-active thyroid slows the metabolism and causes a decrease in sweating. Sounds good in theory, but sweating is how we naturally moisturize our skin. Too little sweat can leave your skin and scalp dry, itchy and flaky, and turn hair brittle. It may also cause the hair follicles to shrink, thereby causing thinner hair to grow in.

In addition to causing dry skin and weight gain, hypothyroidism (production of too little thyroid hormone) can also cause breakouts or a puffy, swollen face.

Because hyperthyroidism can speed up your heart rate and overstimulate your nervous system, one frequent symptom of the condition is shaky, trembling hands.

Often those with an untreated overactive thyroid experience sudden heart racing, especially when they're exerting themselves or even just relaxing. One's pulse may also be faster than usual.

The thyroid is located close to the larynx or voicebox. When swollen, as can happen in thyroid cancer or if you're developing a goiter, it can cause a noticeable lump in your throat or a hoarse voice. Underproduction of the thyroid hormone can also cause hoarseness or loss of voice.

A healthy thyroid is critical for brain function, so if anything is off, you may notice it in terms of difficulty concentrating, memory issues, confusion, inexplicable irritability, poor self-esteem or an inability to process information well.

Those with under- or overactive thyroids often experience a change in how they taste and smell things. Often, these senses are diminished due to the thyroid problems. A recent National Institutes of Health study found, however, that these symptoms went away in most subjects following thyroid treatment.

Frequently for women, a symptom of thyroid problems, more often hypothyroidism, is a diminished or nonexistent sex drive. Libido is often restored once a problem is diagnosed and the thyroid is treated.

Thyroid hormones target all areas of the body, including the skeleton for bone breakdown and regrowth. This can cause those suffering from thyroid problems to feel aching down to their bones.

Hypothyroidism is frequently to blame for fertility problems and miscarriages. Thyroids control fertility and menstruation. Women who are having trouble getting pregnant, suspect they are not ovulating, are experiencing miscarriages or irregular periods should get checked before trying again to get pregnant.