Thyroid why am i so tired

Issues with the thyroid gland can also cause tiredness and low mood. Hypothyroidism is a common contributing factor in mood changes, especially among women and older adults.

Hypothyroidism and depression can also have a significant overlap in symptoms , and both require medical attention, so it's important to see a doctor for an evaluation if you're experiencing symptoms of one or both. The thyroid is a shield-shaped gland in the front of the neck, just behind the Adam's apple. It releases hormones that affect every cell of the body. The thyroid contributes to several bodily functions, including telling the body how to use calories, regulating body temperature, speeding up and slowing down heart rate, helping muscles contract, regulating how fast food moves through the digestive system, and managing how quickly cells regenerate.

When the thyroid stops working as it should, typically due to factors such as medications, age, genetics, or autoimmune disease, it can cause a host of problems related to body functions and sense of well-being, including mental healt h.

Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid is not secreting enough hormones, which can result in a number of symptoms that overlap with those of depression, including:. These symptoms are so similar to those of depression that they often lead people to believe they have Major Depressive Disorder MDD instead. But while the presentation of a depressive episode caused by hypothyroidism and one cased by MDD may be the same, the diagnoses are different; with hypothyroidism, the depressive episode is related to low serum thyroid hormone levels, but with MDD, the direct cause is unknown.

In addition, the effects of hypothyroidism can worsen pre-existing depression. There are other symptoms of hypothyroidism that don't overlap with depression, such as constipation, feeling cold all the time, stiff muscles, cramping, and hair loss.

Being aware of the symptoms of hypothyroidism and depression can enable you to paint a more complete picture of your condition for your doctor so they can help you get the treatment and care you need.

Hyperthyroidism , on the other hand, is when the thyroid produces too much thyroid hormone. In a lot of ways, it's the opposite of hypothyroidism. Instead of causing a slow metabolism, hyperthyroidism can cause the metabolism to operate too quickly, making it difficult to gain and retain weight. Instead of feeling depressed, you may feel anxious or nervous with hyperthyroidism. You might also experience heart palpitations, difficulties with sleeping or tolerating heat, and muscle weakness.

However, hyperthyroidism can also occasionally cause depressive symptoms , especially among elderly people. You may want to try this several times to get a hang of where your thyroid really is. If you see anything that's lumpy or suspicious, see your doctor. It could be hypothyroidism. A sluggish thyroid can slow bodily functions down to the point where sleeping even in the daytime seems like a brilliant idea. Can't sleep? It could be hyperthyroidism.

An overactive thyroid can cause anxiety and rapid pulse, which can make it hard to fall asleep or even wake you in the middle of the night. However, weight gain is one of the top reasons women show up in Dr. Miller's office for a thyroid checkup. They can't lose it.

Lose 8 Pounds in 2 Weeks. Too little thyroid hormone disrupts your hair growth cycle and puts too many follicles into "resting" mode, resulting in hair loss—sometimes all over your body including at the outside of your eyebrows. An overactive thyroid can also do a number on your hair. Hair issues due to hyperthyroidism typically show up as thinning hair just on your head.

Difficulty conceiving has been linked to a higher risk of undiagnosed thyroid problems. Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can interfere with ovulation, which impairs fertility. Thyroid disorders are also linked to pregnancy complications.

Elevated levels of the "bad" cholesterol can be caused by an underactive thyroid and are cause for concern. Untreated hypothyroidism can lead to heart problems, including an enlarged heart and heart failure. Based on test results, your symptoms, and your physical exam, you may be prescribed synthetic hormones. Testing and treating a thyroid disorder takes a bit of trial-and-error so expect to visit the doctor a few times before the dosage is right.

Some doctors may be resistant to a thyroid diagnosis, although the American Associated of Clinical Endocrinologists narrowed the TSH range for acceptable thyroid function from 0. That means more women fall into a range that can be treated. This article originally appeared on Health. We'll notify you here with news about. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Both alcohol and caffeine interfere with your body's ability to get into a deep, restorative level of sleep.

Stick to only one or two caffeinated drinks before noon, and have just one alcoholic drink, if any, early in the evening. You might think hypothyroidism has drained you of all energy reserves, but even adding a little more physical activity to your day can help you improve energy levels during the day, and get better sleep at night.

Aim for the recommended amount of physical activity from the U. Department of Health and Human Services : moderate-intensity aerobic activity for at least 30 minutes on at least five days of the week and strength training activities on least two days a week. Since exercising in the evening can make it difficult to get to sleep, try to get most of your workouts done earlier in the day.

Getting enough high-quality sleep — most people need seven to nine hours of sleep every night — can help fight daytime fatigue related to an underactive thyroid. To get your body into the right sleep rhythm, establish a regular time to go to sleep and to wake up, even on weekends and holidays. Leave your phone and other digital devices in another room, and if necessary invest in an alarm clock — not your phone — to rouse you out of sleep in the morning.

Nicotine is a stimulant. So even though smoking can feel like a relaxing routine, it's interfering with your sleep quality and, in turn, adding to fatigue. Research is ongoing, but cigarette smoking is believed to affect the thyroid gland in various ways, according to research published in the journal Endokrynologia Polska. Tobacco use is believed to prompt hormone changes in your body, for example, and even stimulate autoimmune activity in some people — which could be challenging your hypothyroidism treatment plan.

Explore ways to quit smoking and find better-quality sleep and more energy. But since kicking the habit can itself complicate hypothyroidism, be sure to stop smoking under a doctor's supervision. This is the equivalent of taking medication to get your thyroid hormone levels back to normal. But if the oil in your car is fine, don't add more oil. Instead, look for another cause of your engine's distress. The same logic applies to managing hypothyroidism.

If your thyroid screening suggests you're at normal levels after treatment but you're still feeling fatigued, ask for further medical evaluation to find the underlying cause of your lack of energy.