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Website by
Stuart Chandler
& Ruth Ryan
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Thyroid Problems
Although there
is no proven link, it may be worth going to your doctor and having your
thyroid checked as the 'mental health' symptoms can be very similar
to those of BDD. On the mental/emotional side symptoms include:
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Depression
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Anxiety,
panic attacks, worry, fear, insecurity, feelings of impending
doom (any combination). "I thought I was dying..."
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Feeling
irritable or emotional
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Hallucinations,
hearing voices
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Obsessive
Compulsive Disorder
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Startle
easily
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Low
tolerance to change/stress
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Mental
abilities - poor focus, clarity, concentration, short-term memory.
Slow thinking.
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(NB not all patients
have all symptoms and may suffer from them to different degrees.)
There are two
types of thyroid problem - underactive and overactive. If you have any
thyroid problems in your family this significantly increases your chance
of having thyroid problems. On the physical side the symptoms are:
Underactive
thyroid:
The symptoms of 'hypothyroidism' relate to a general "slowing down"
of the body's functions. They include:
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feeling
tired and sleeping excessively |
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easily
feeling the cold |
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dry and thickened skin |
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coarse,
thinning hair and eyebrows and brittle nails |
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sore
muscles, slow movements and weakness |
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weight gain |
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constipation
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fertility
problems and increased risk of miscarriage |
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heavy,
irregular or prolonged menstrual periods |
There may also
be swelling of the thyroid gland in the neck - a goitre.
Overactive
thyroid:
'Hyperthyroidism' can cause many different symptoms and the overall
pattern can vary for different people, depending on their age and the
amount of excess hormone being released. In general, the symptoms relate
to a "speeding up" of the body's metabolism and they include
the following:
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tremor (shaking) |
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sleeping
poorly |
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being
intolerant of heat and sweating more than usual |
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losing
weight despite increased appetite (10% of people gain weight) |
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feeling
tired and having weak muscles |
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increased
heart rate or palpitations |
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having
infrequent periods or problems with fertility |
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having
more frequent bowl movements or diarrhoea |
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shortness
of breath, especially when exercising |
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loss
of hair or finer hair than usual |
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swelling
of the thyroid gland in the neck - a goitre |
The eyes are affected
in approximately 50% of people with Graves' disease. They are pushed
forwards and look more prominent. This can lead to changes in eyesight
including double vision as well as eye discomfort and watering.
Diagnosis of
hypothyroidism
Anyone who experiences
these symptoms should consult their GP. A doctor will usually discuss
symptoms, perform a physical examination and then request some blood
tests if he or she suspects a thyroid problem.
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