Thyroid cancer affects 1 in 20 Brits and is 10 times more common in women, but its symptoms are regularly mistaken for other conditions making it a ‘silent killer’
As many as 1 in 20 of us could be hit by thyroid cancer in our lives – but it regularly flies under the radar.
The disease has been dubbed a ‘silent killer’ due to how easily it can be mistaken for other conditions. Because of this, it takes an average of 4.5 years to be diagnosed – time which some sufferers may not have until it’s too late.
The shocking finding, made by academics at the University of Aberdeen alongside leading thyroid charities, prompted urgent calls for Brits to get savvy on the symptoms. According to the NHS, the signs can come on slowly, making it the perfect storm for all the warnings being missed.
The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in our necks by the windpipe which produces hormones controlling vital body functions, such as heart rate and body temperatures. It’s also involved in the body’s metabolism – the process of turning food to energy – which means people with the disease are prone to gaining weight.
The hormones triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) are both produced in the thyroid, and cancer of the gland causes it either to produce too much or too little, potentially wreaking devastating effects on the body. Thyroid cancer affects anyone, but is particularly common in women, who are 10 times more likely to be diagnosed than men.
The disease typically presents itself relatively young, usually between 20 and 40, and Brits are being reminded of all the telltale signs.
Underactive thyroid symptoms
Symptoms of an underactive thyroid are regularly mistaken for other conditions such as depression, and they usually come on slowly, so you may not notice them for years, according to the NHS.
Patients at the age where they may be expecting the menopause could easily be mistaken for thinking signs of an underactive thyroid could be just that. Symptoms of an underactive thyroid can include:
- Tiredness
- Weight gain
- Depression
- Being sensitive to the cold
- Dry skin and hair
- Muscle aches
Signs of an overactive thyroid however include other symptoms, such as sleeping problems and heart palpitations. The NHS lists these as including:
- Nervousness, anxiety and irritability
- Mood swings
- Difficulty sleeping
- Persistent tiredness and weakness
- Sensitivity to heat
- Swelling in your neck from an enlarged thyroid gland (goitre)
- An irregular and/or unusually fast heart rate (palpitations)
- Twitching or trembling
- Weight loss
Anyone experiencing multiple symptoms should make an appointment with their GP who can carry out a thyroid function test, which involves having a sample of your blood tested to measure your hormone levels. Treatment for thyroid conditions usually involves prescribed medication.
An underactive thyroid is treated with daily hormone replacement tablets called levothyroxine to raise your thyroxine levels, while an overactive thyroid is typically treated with medicine that stops your thyroid producing too much of these hormones.