Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) has many symptoms and signs, although it is very unlikely you would develop all of them.
Symptoms of hyperthyroidism
If you have hyperthyroidism, you may have some of the following symptoms:
- difficulty breathing
- hyperactivity
- mood swings, irritability and nervousness
- difficulty sleeping
- fatigue (extreme tiredness)
- muscle weakness
- needing to pass stools (faeces) or urine frequently
- diarrhoea or steatorrhoea (excess fat in your stools)
- sensitivity to heat and excess sweating
- increased appetite
- sudden weight loss or gain
- very infrequent or light periods, or periods stopping altogether
- infertility
- loss of interest in sex
If you have diabetes, your diabetic symptoms, such as extreme thirst and tiredness, may be made worse by hyperthyroidism.
Signs of hyperthyroidism
If you have hyperthyroidism, you may notice some of the following physical signs:
- a swelling in your neck caused by an enlarged thyroid gland (goitre)
- uncoordinated rhythm between your heartbeat and pulse
- a rapid resting heart rate
- a tremor (trembling or shaking)
- warm, moist skin
- redness on the palms of your hands
- loosening of your nails in their nail beds
- itchy skin with raised itchy swellings (urticaria)
- patchy hair loss (alopecia)
- twitching in your face and limbs
