Signs Your Thyroid Might Be Disrupting Your Sleep

Did you know? 64% of Indians don't sleep enough. While chronic sleep deprivation has become a common occurrence in this modern society, there can be an underlying health issue as well.

Infact, your thyroid could be to blame.

A thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of your neck. It is part of the endocrine system and regulates various bodily functions by producing hormones.

The thyroid produces two main hormones, which include Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3).

These hormones have several responsibilities where they regulate metabolism, body temperature, heart rate, and energy use.

However, when the production of these hormones is not balanced, it can cause adverse effects. One of them is chronic sleep issues.

Ahead, we walk you through the top signs to help you understand if your thyroid may be disturbing your sleep. Let's get started!

Top 10 Signs That Your Thyroid Might Be Disrupting Your Sleep

Thyroid disorders can be put into two categories. In Hypothyroidism, you have an underactive thyroid, which leads to fatigue, weight gain, cold sensitivity, and depression.

On the other hand, Hyperthyroidism is an overactive thyroid. It causes weight loss, rapid heartbeat, anxiety, and sweating. Suffering from either can disrupt your sleep, and you may notice some of the common signs mentioned below.

1. Unable To Fall Asleep Easily

One of the very first signs that your thyroid may be interrupting your sleep is the inability to fall asleep faster. When you are suffering from an overactive thyroid, it can lead to an overactive mind. This can cause a racing mind, anxiety, and even a sense of restlessness. It is beyond the usual brain chatter some experience.

On the other end of the spectrum, an underactive thyroid can make you feel sluggish during the day and disrupt your sleep at night.

2. Night Sweats

If you are suffering from hyperthyroidism, you may notice an increase in night sweats as you snooze.

This is because of the increased metabolism and an overactive nervous system. It causes excessive sweating at night, which can even disrupt your sleep and wake you up because of the discomfort.

3. Frequent Night Wakings

Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can be the culprits if you find yourself walking up frequently at night.

With hyperthyroidism, there's a sense of heightened energy. This pushes your mind to overthink and encourages racing thoughts. Hence, it can disrupt the deeper stages of sleep.

With hypothyroidism, you are in aches and pains, and you may also feel colder than usual. This interrupts sleep.

4. Fatigue Despite Sleep

Do you feel tired even after sleeping for seven to eight hours straight? Hypothyroidism can do that.

In this condition, your bodily functions become slow and can cause persistent fatigue that stays with you throughout the day. Here, you also experience a lack of deep sleep, and your energy levels are always low due to poor production.

5. Insomnia

Hyperthyroidism and insomnia go hand-in-hand because falling or staying asleep becomes a challenge.

Due to the excess thyroid hormones, your body remains stimulated. So, you remain alert and restless even if you fall asleep. This makes it difficult for you to relax and slide into deep sleep.

6. Weight Changes Impacting Comfort

Both types of thyroid tend to affect weight. With hypothyroidism, you gain weight without even trying, and it's the opposite with hyperthyroidism. The fluctuations in weight can make it difficult for you to enjoy proper sleep.

This is because as you gain sudden weight, there can be a sense of discomfort, and it may cause snoring or sleep apnea. And, with sudden weight loss, you experience a sense of restlessness and physical discomfort, all of which can hamper your overall sleep quality.

7. Sensitivity to Temperature

Thyroid issues cause sensitivity to temperature. With hypothyroidism, you have an intolerance to cold, and hyperthyroidism leads to heat sensitivity.

Since you are unable to adjust to the temperature here, it may feel extremely difficult to fall asleep.

This can be especially true if you are sleeping with a partner who has a different temperature preference because even slight discomfort can hamper your sleep.

8. Muscle Weakness or Cramps

Issues with your thyroid can lead to muscle fatigue and cause cramps.

If you are suffering from an overactive thyroid, you may experience pain and stiffness. This discomfort makes it difficult to enjoy a good night's rest.

With hypothyroidism, you experience severe muscle fatigue, which may again prevent you from sliding into a deep peaceful sleep.

9. Mood Swings and Anxiety

If you are experiencing a recent onset of anxiety and mood swings, which are causing severe emotional fluctuations, an overactive thyroid may be the issue.

Hyperthyroidism not only increases anxiety but can even make you feel low and cause depression. This can mentally feel like a burden and interfere with your sleep where restless nights become a norm.

10. Snoring or Sleep Apnea

Hypothyroidism can cause weight gain over time. So, chances are that because of weight gain, swelling occurs in the throat area. Now, this can cause airway obstruction and lead to snoring. But in some cases, it may also cause sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder where your breathing repeatedly starts and stops throughout the night.

Both excess snoring and sleep apnea can prevent you from getting quality sleep and wake you up frequently.

Wrapping Up

If you resonate with the above signs, your thyroid may be the reason for poor sleep quality. Here, it is imperative that you speak with a healthcare professional. They will conduct a blood test, which will confirm if your thyroid is indeed the culprit.

But don't worry. Even if you are suffering from a thyroid condition, managing it is not a hassle. Your doctor will prescribe medication and lifestyle changes to help you take charge of your health.

Infact, you can also ensure that you create a comfortable bedroom environment to make it easy to fall asleep. For instance, if night sweats disrupt your sleep, you can opt for SnowTec pillows and mattresses by The Sleep Company to keep you cool as you snooze.

Remember, sleep is essential for your well-being. So, prioritize it for a healthier and more energized life.