How do I know if I have thyroid problems? ?

Question

Thyroid issues run in my family. I am 24 and have been putting on weight and can not lose it, even though my eating habits have not changed in 10 years. I've tried dieting, but it's so painful to be starving all the time. I am also always tired and have no energy. Sometimes I wake up and it is hard for me to swallow. I have no health care so I can not go to a doctor, although I'd like to. Does this have to be diagnosed by a doctor? If it does, and I obviously can't afford one, how will not having it treated affect me?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

You really need to get checked out by a doc. There is blood work that needs to be done to test if your thyroid is hypoactive. You could be looking at fatigue, lethargy, personality and mental changes, dry, coarse, and scaly skin, brittle nails and hair, decreased cardiac output, anemia, ad constipation.... for starters.

you could find yourself in a myxedema coma.

Can you at least go to a free clinic in your area, or does your county offer low cost medical assistance?

Answer 2

Yes, thyroid problems need to be diagnosed by a doctor. The only way to be sure if it is your thyroid is to have blood tests done. I can appreciate not having insurance but if it is your thyroid you need to have the hormone levels checked and adjusted. You asked what affect with thyroid problems have if not treated. That would depend on what the problem is. Thyroid problems run in my family too, so I was not surprised when I developed symptoms. 2 years ago I had to have my entire thyroid removed and was placed on synthroid. I have felt much better ever since.

Source(s):

http://thyroid.about.com/cs/basics_start…

Answer 3

The only way to know of you have a thyroid problem is to go to a doctor and get blood tests (free T3 and free T4)

Severe untreated hypothyroidism can lead to a myxedema coma and death.