January is Thyroid Awareness Month—a great reminder that a small gland in your neck can have a big impact on how you feel day to day. Your thyroid helps regulate metabolism, energy levels, and even mood. And because thyroid issues can develop slowly (and mimic other conditions), many people don’t realize their symptoms could be thyroid-related until they get lab work.
Here’s how to recognize common signs, who is at higher risk, and when it makes sense to test your thyroid.
What Does the Thyroid Do (and Why Symptoms Can Feel “All Over the Place”)?
The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your neck that makes thyroid hormones—T4 (thyroxine) and T3 (triiodothyronine)—which influence many systems in your body. When thyroid hormone levels are too low or too high, your body can feel like it’s running in slow motion—or stuck in fast-forward.
Common Thyroid Conditions Include:
- Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)—thyroid hormone levels are too low.
- Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)—thyroid hormone levels are too high.
- Autoimmune causes such as Hashimoto’s disease (commonly linked to hypothyroidism) and Graves’ disease (a common cause of hyperthyroidism).
Signs & Symptoms of Hypothyroidism (Under-Active Thyroid)
When your thyroid is underactive, your body’s systems can slow down. People often describe feeling “off” for months—tired, sluggish, or not like themselves.
Common symptoms can include:
- Fatigue/low energy
- Weight gain or difficulty losing weight
- Feeling cold more easily than others
- Dry skin, hair changes, or hair thinning
- Constipation
- Low mood or “brain fog”
- Menstrual cycle changes
If you’re thinking, “That sounds like a lot of things,” you’re right—and that’s why testing matters. Symptoms alone aren’t enough to confirm thyroid dysfunction.
Signs & Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism (Over-Active Thyroid)
Hyperthyroidism can feel like your body is “revved up.” Symptoms often overlap with stress, anxiety, or too much caffeine, which can delay diagnosis.
Common symptoms can include:
- Feeling jittery or anxious
- Fast heartbeat/palpitations
- Unexplained weight loss
- Trouble sleeping
- Heat intolerance or sweating more than usual
- Tremors
- Increased bowel movements
When Should You Test Your Thyroid?
1) You have persistent symptoms that don’t add up
If fatigue, weight changes, mood shifts, or heart racing are sticking around (especially if they’re new for you), thyroid testing can help rule in/out a hormone imbalance.
2) You have a personal or family history of thyroid disease
Family history is common in autoimmune thyroid conditions like Hashimoto’s.
3) You’re monitoring a known thyroid condition or treatment
If you’re already diagnosed and taking thyroid medication, regular monitoring helps ensure your levels stay in range.
4) Your healthcare provider sees related changes in other labs or exams
Sometimes thyroid issues are flagged after abnormal cholesterol results, unexplained menstrual irregularities, or a neck exam that suggests an enlarged thyroid (goiter).
How Any Lab Test Now® Makes Thyroid Testing Easier
Thyroid testing shouldn’t be a hassle. With Any Lab Test Now®, you can check your thyroid with a simple blood draw—no long wait, and a doctor’s order is included. Our Basic Thyroid Panel is a convenient way to get a snapshot of thyroid function. Find a location near you and Take Control of Your Health!
