Under-active thyroid: Early warning sign especially noticeable in the morning

An underactive thyroid usually does not present itself in visual signs which is why it is often described as an "invisible illness". However, there are some signs which should not be ignored as the disease could lead to further dangerous health consequences.

One way to identify an underactive thyroid is through a sign which usually strikes in the morning. And that is feeling extremely tired. Timely identifying the warning signs and seeking treatment can help in improving your health and preventing any long term consequences.

The thyroid gland is a small gland in the neck that is located in front of the windpipe. It releases hormones that regulate several key functions of the body, such as metabolism. Now in case of underactive thyroid, which is also called hypothyroidism, there is deficiency of the thyroid hormone. This is usually caused by autoimmune Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, a disease in which the immune system itself attacks the thyroid gland. If left untreated, hypothyroidism can disturb how the nerves carry information to and from the brain, spinal cord and body.

Fatigue is one of the key symptoms of hypothyroidism. It is often described as bone-numbing fatigue, caused due to improper regulation of your thyroid levels. Since fatigue is also a sign of other serious or temporary health problems, it is best to see your doctor and get tested, otherwise you may neglect it and not become aware of having hypothyroidism.

This fatigue can develop slowly or come on suddenly. According to health experts, it usually strikes in the morning and the person experiencing it is barely able to lift their head off their pillow in the morning. This is clearly a problematic sign, as if you are healthy and well-rested, you should be feeling refreshed in the morning.

Along with fatigue and tiredness, other common symptoms of hypothyroidism include:

-Constipation

-Slow movements and thoughts

-Shivering

-Weight gain

-Depression

-Increased appetite

Hypothyroidism can also lead to other serious impacts on health such as a slow heart rate, hoarse voice, hearing loss, thinned or partly missing eyebrows and a puffy-looking face. Hypothyroidism, if not treated over time, can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases and hypercholesterolemia, which means high blood cholesterol level.

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The best way to prevent this is to get tested regularly, especially if you notice any of the above mentioned signs. Regular blood and urine tests, or for that matter, full body tests, allow you and your healthcare provider to know exactly about your health and identify any problems that could be present. A thyroid function test looks at levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroxine (T4) in the blood. Consult your doctor for treatment in case the results are too low or too high than the normal range.