A hard-to-spot disease that affects one in 20 people takes years to spot. Experts say the often "mild" symptoms can go unnoticed with research showing it takes an average of 4.5 years for a sufferer to be diagnosed.

About 3.3m people in the UK have a thyroid problem, with women six times more likely to suffer from the condition than men. But thyroid problems are notoriously hard to identify with many of their symptoms similar to common ailments.

A study by the University of Aberdeen found it takes an average of 4.5 years for a thyroid condition to be diagnosed. The research looked at data on almost 1,200 patients’ experience from the onset of symptoms through diagnosis and treatment and beyond. In total, 95% of the respondents were women.

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And while it takes an average of 4.5 years for a thyroid condition to be diagnosed, it was "considerably longer" for patients with hypothyroidism. In most cases (almost two thirds of respondents) it took multiple appointments and a worsening of the severity of symptoms before a diagnosis was made.

But researchers who conducted the 2023 study found the condition posed serious implications for the physical, mental and emotional life of those affected. It reported thyroid patients were at greater risk of experiencing long-term sick leave and impairment of working ability.

So what is the thyroid and what should you look out for? And when should you see a doctor?

Your thyroid is an important endocrine gland that makes and releases certain hormones, according to the Cleveland Clinic. It says: "Your thyroid's main job is to control your metabolism — how your body uses energy. Sometimes, your thyroid doesn’t work properly. These conditions are common and treatable."

Thyroid disease is an umbrella term for conditions that affect how your thyroid functions. Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are the two main types of thyroid disease. But they each have multiple possible causes. Thyroid diseases are treatable — usually with medication.

The two main types of thyroid disease are hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). But they each have several conditions that can cause them including Hashimoto's disease, Iodine deficiency, Graves' disease and thyroid nodules.

The Cleveland Clinic explains there are a number of symptoms of the disease. But it warns: "Unfortunately, symptoms of a thyroid condition are often very similar to the signs of other medical conditions and stages of life. This can make it difficult to know if your symptoms are related to a thyroid issue or something else entirely."

There are two main groups - those related to having too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism) and those related to having too little thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism). The clinic says: "The symptoms are often “opposites” between the two conditions. This is because hyperthyroidism speeds up your metabolism, and hypothyroidism slows down your metabolism."

Symptoms of hypothyroidism include:

• Slower-than-usual heart rate.


• Feeling tired ( fatigue ).


• Unexplained weight gain.


• Feeling sensitive to cold.


• Dry skin and dry and coarse hair.


• Depressed mood.


• Heavy menstrual periods (menorrhagia).

Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include:

• Faster-than-usual heart rate ( tachycardia ).


• Difficulty sleeping.


• Unexplained weight loss.


• Feeling sensitive to heat.


• Clammy or sweaty skin.


• Feeling anxious, irritable or nervous.


• Irregular menstrual cycles or a lack of periods ( amenorrhea ).

Both conditions can cause an enlarged thyroid (goiter), but it’s more common in hyperthyroidism.

The NHS says you should see a GP if you think you might have either and underactive or overactive thyroid. Whle some of the symptoms are common and can be caused by other conditions it's important to get them checked by a GP.