Symptoms

An overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) can cause a wide range of symptoms, although it's unlikely you'll experience all of them.

The symptoms may develop gradually or suddenly. For some people they're mild, but for others they can be severe and significantly affect their life.

Common symptoms

Symptoms of an overactive thyroid can include:

nervousness, anxiety and irritability
hyperactivity - you may find it hard to stay still and have a lot of nervous energy
mood swings
difficulty sleeping
feeling tired all the time
sensitivity to heat
muscle weakness
diarrhoea
needing to pee more often than usual
persistent thirst
itchiness
loss of interest in sex

Common signs

An overactive thyroid can also cause the following physical signs:

a swelling in your neck caused by an enlarged thyroid gland (goitre)
an irregular and/or unusually fast heart rate (palpitations)
twitching or trembling
warm skin and excessive sweating
red palms of your hands
loose nails
a raised, itchy rash - known as hives (urticaria)
patchy hair loss or thinning
weight loss - often despite an increased appetite
eye problems, such as redness, dryness or vision problems (see complications of an overactive thyroid)

When to see a GP

See a GP if you have symptoms or signs of an overactive thyroid. It might be useful to make a list of all your symptoms and show it to a GP.

These symptoms and signs can have a number of causes. But a blood test can often help to determine whether they're caused by a thyroid problem.

Find out more about how an overactive thyroid is diagnosed

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