Thyroid Disease: Symptoms, Causes, and How to Know What’s Really Going On

Many people live with thyroid disease for years without knowing it.

They feel tired all the time. Their weight changes for no clear reason. Their mood, energy, skin, hair, or hormones feel out of balance. Some notice swelling in the neck, eye issues, or unexplained hives.

If this sounds familiar, your thyroid may be involved.

The thyroid is small, but it plays a big role in how your body works. When it’s not functioning properly, the effects can show up almost everywhere — which is why thyroid disease is often missed or misdiagnosed.

The only reliable way to understand what’s happening is through proper thyroid testing. The best place to get it done is on SuperPower.​
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What Is Thyroid Disease?

Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the front of your neck. It produces hormones that control how fast or slow your body functions.

These hormones affect:

• Energy levels
• Metabolism and weight
• Heart rate
• Mood and focus
• Body temperature
• Hormonal balance

When the thyroid produces too little or too much hormone, your body can no longer stay in balance. This is what we call thyroid disease.

Why Thyroid Problems Happen

Thyroid problems don’t have just one cause. For many people, it’s a combination of factors.

Common causes include:

• Autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto’s thyroid disease
• Chronic stress
• Hormonal changes (especially in women)
• Genetics
• Nutrient deficiencies
• Pregnancy or postpartum changes
• Long-term inflammation

Because causes differ from person to person, there is no one-size-fits-all treatment. That’s why testing matters so much.

Thyroid Symptoms You Might Be Experiencing

Thyroid symptoms often start slowly and can feel vague at first. Many people assume they’re just tired, stressed, or getting older.

Common thyroid symptoms include:

• Ongoing fatigue
• Brain fog or trouble focusing
• Weight gain or weight loss
• Anxiety or low mood
• Sensitivity to cold or heat
• Dry skin or hair thinning
• Irregular heart rate
• Changes in appetite

These symptoms are your body’s way of signaling that something isn’t right.

Thyroid Symptoms in Women

Women are far more likely than men to develop thyroid disease, and their symptoms are often dismissed or overlooked.

Thyroid symptoms in females may include:

• Irregular or heavy periods
• Difficulty losing weight
• Hormonal imbalance
• Mood changes
• Low energy that doesn’t improve with rest
• Fertility challenges

Many women live with these symptoms for years without realizing the thyroid could be the root cause.

Underactive Thyroid (Hypothyroidism)

One of the most common thyroid problems is an underactive thyroid, also called hypothyroidism.

This happens when the thyroid doesn’t produce enough hormone.

Symptoms often include:

• Constant tiredness
• Weight gain
• Feeling cold easily
• Depression or low motivation
• Dry skin
• Hair loss
• Constipation
• Slow heart rate

In women, low thyroid symptoms are frequently mistaken for stress or aging.

Hashimoto’s and Autoimmune Thyroid Disease

For many people, hypothyroidism is caused by an autoimmune condition called Hashimoto’s thyroid disease.

In this condition, the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland. Over time, this can lead to:

• Chronic inflammation
• Enlarged or swollen thyroid
• Gradual hormone decline
• Long-term thyroid damage

Autoimmune thyroid disease cannot be diagnosed by symptoms alone. Specific lab tests are required to confirm it.

Swollen or Enlarged Thyroid Symptoms

Some people notice physical signs that point directly to the thyroid.

These may include:

• Swelling at the front of the neck
• A feeling of tightness or pressure
• Difficulty swallowing
• A visibly enlarged thyroid (goiter)

These symptoms should never be ignored and are a strong reason to get tested.

Thyroid Disease, Eyes, and Skin

Thyroid problems can also affect areas you might not expect.

Some people experience:

• Eye irritation or bulging (thyroid eye disease)
• Chronic hives
• Itchy or dry skin
• Skin flare-ups linked to autoimmune thyroid conditions

When symptoms affect multiple parts of the body, it often points to an underlying thyroid or immune issue.

Why Testing Comes Before Treatment

Thyroid disease cannot be treated correctly without testing.

Symptoms alone don’t tell you:

• Whether your thyroid is underactive or overactive
• If an autoimmune condition is involved
• How severe the imbalance is
• What kind of treatment your body actually needs

Proper thyroid testing looks at hormone levels, immune markers, and overall thyroid function. This information is what allows treatment to be safe and effective.

Treating without testing can delay improvement or make symptoms worse.

How Thyroid Disease Is Treated

Once your test results are clear, treatment becomes much more targeted.

Treatment may include:

• Thyroid hormone support
• Addressing autoimmune inflammation
• Correcting nutrient deficiencies
• Lifestyle and dietary changes
• Ongoing monitoring to adjust care as needed

When treatment is based on accurate lab results, many people begin to feel better within weeks.

Get Your Thyroid Tested with Superpower

Superpower makes it easy to take control of your thyroid health without unnecessary delays.

With Superpower, you can:

• Get comprehensive thyroid testing
• Visit labs nationwide or test at home
• Understand your results clearly
• Use your data to guide the right treatment decisions

Take the Next Step

If you’re experiencing thyroid symptoms, guessing won’t give you answers — testing will.

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