Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher has struggled with the health condition – as has Rachel Stevens
Over half of us admit to regularly waking up in the middle of the night before struggling to fall back asleep. Now Brits are being warned it could be a sign you have a health condition that has affected Liam Gallagher and Rachel Stevens.
A recent survey of 2,000 adults, commissioned by sleep technology company Simba, revealed that nearly a third grapple with the issue almost every single night – with women being more affected than men. Lisa Artis, Deputy CEO of the Sleep Charity, suggested that this common sleep habit could indicate a more serious health condition. She explained: “Waking up too early can point to an under or over active thyroid.”
Celebs like Liam Gallagher, Rachel Stevens and supermodel Gigi Hadid have all spoken out about their thyroid problems. Missy Elliott has opened up about her fight with Graves’ disease, which leads to hyperthyroidism – an overactive thyroid condition.
In 2022, Oasis legend Liam revealed his struggle with arthritis was down to a persistent thyroid problem known as Hashimoto’s disease. That autoimmune condition of the thyroid gland sees the body’s immune system start attacking it. If left untreated, it can cause the vocal cords to swell, leading to a hoarse voice.
The thyroid, a small yet potent “butterfly-shaped” gland nestled in your neck, produces thyroid hormones – T4 (thyroxine) and T3 (triiodothyronine). These hormones help regulate your metabolism, heart rate, body temperature, and energy levels. When the thyroid doesn’t function properly, it can become underactive – known as Hypothyroidism, or overactive – known as Hyperthyroidism.
Both Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism can impact sleep, but in different ways, reports Surrey Live. If you’re struggling to fall or stay asleep, hyperthyroidism is usually the main culprit. On the other hand, if you’re constantly feeling knackered, hypothyroidism is generally the prime suspect. Simba’s research discovered that 18% feel worn out all the time. Thyroid hormones are crucial in maintaining our body clock, which regulates our sleep-wake cycle.
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Incorrect hormone levels can throw this rhythm off kilter, leading to early morning awakenings. Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) is more likely to cause you to stir during the night.
This is because an excess of thyroid hormones can rev up your metabolism and stimulate your nervous system, leading to symptoms like anxiety, rapid heart rate, and restlessness. This can spike cortisol levels (the stress hormone), which may cause you to wake up earlier than usual, particularly in the morning.
These factors can disrupt your sleep cycle, causing you to wake up frequently or too early in the morning. Artis clarifies, “Cortisol plays a role in waking you up in the morning, but if your thyroid is overactive, the stress response can become imbalanced, causing you to wake up too early and feel restless.”
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In the UK, one in 20 people suffer from a thyroid problem, states research by the University of Aberdeen. According to the NHS, it’s most prevalent among people aged 20 to 40. Women are at a tenfold greater risk of encountering thyroid issues compared to men, which underscores the necessity of early detection and intervention.
Lisa explained: “What distinguishes waking early from thyroid issues from occasional bouts of early morning waking is the presence of other symptoms, such as persistent fatigue, unexplained weight gain or weight loss, and feeling excessively cold or overheating. Other symptoms can include irregular periods, brain fog, muscle aches, dry skin, and changes in appetite.
“Thyroid symptoms usually develop slowly and gradually, and can be quite vague, often overlapping with other conditions, which can make it difficult to diagnose. A simple blood test can easily detect thyroid issues, so if you’re experiencing these signs, it’s worth consulting a doctor to rule out an under or over active thyroid.
NHS symptoms of underactive thyroid
The NHS website says common symptoms include:
- constipation
- putting on weight
- irregular or heavy periods if you have them
- feeling extremely tired (fatigue)
- a croaky (hoarse) voice
- dry skin, dry hair or hair loss
- low mood or depression
- difficulty concentrating or thinking clearly
- feeling cold more than usual
Symptoms usually develop slowly and get worse over time, the NHS warns.
NHS symptoms of overactive thyroid
According to the NHS website, these are some of the symptoms to look for:
- hyperactivity – you may find it hard to stay still and have a lot of nervous energy
- persistent thirst
- feeling tired all the time
- muscle weakness
- diarrhoea
- needing to pee more often than usual
- sensitivity to heat
- itchiness
- nervousness, anxiety and irritability
- mood swings
- loss of interest in sex
- difficulty sleeping
