Condition linked to tiredness and weight issues is suffered by 'one in 20' but many aren't diagnosed

Conditions affecting the thyroid can be debilitating and affect around one in 20 people in the UK.

Underactive or overactive thyroid problems can have serious effects on people’s physical, mental and emotional wellbeing - with patients also at greater risk of experiencing long-term sick leave and impairment of working ability, according to the University of Aberdeen. Women are six times more likely to suffer from the condition than men.

But a new study by Aberdeen academics found that it takes an average of 4-and-a-half years for a thyroid condition to be diagnosed, with this taking considerably longer for patients with hypothyroidism (overactive thyroid).

In most cases - almost two thirds of the almost 1,200 respondents to the study - it took multiple appointments and a worsening of the severity of symptoms before a diagnosis was made.

Here, we cover the symptoms you need to know as diagnosis is often ‘only the start of a lengthy journey for the majority of thyroid disease patients’, says the university.

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Your thyroid gland is an endocrine gland found in your neck that creates thyroxine and triiodothyronine, two hormones responsible for controlling vital bodily functions, including energy levels, weight regulation, internal temperature, and metabolism.

Low or high levels of these all-important hormones may result in thyroid disease, which can be characterised by an underactive or overactive thyroid. If your thyroid isn't secreting enough hormones, then this is known as hypothyroidism, while hyperthyroidism refers to an overactive thyroid.

The NHS says you should see a GP and ask to be tested for an underactive thyroid if you have symptoms