Fatigue, aches and pains and depression can be red flags of a serious condition

A spokesman said: “Fatigue and muscle aches are common signs that you may have thyroid disease, as well as feeling sensitive to cold and hot temperatures. An underactive thyroid is also known to cause depression in many sufferers.

“According to the NHS, older people with underactive thyroid may be at increased risk of memory loss, while children may experience slower development leading up to puberty.

“An overactive thyroid can also manifest as swelling in the neck from an enlarged thyroid gland, as our clients have experienced. This swelling is usually painless, but can create a cough, difficulty speaking, and a wheezing noise when breathing.

“Thyroid disease can affect anyone but, according to the NHS, it is more common in women than men and usually occurs between the ages of 20 and 40.

“Genetics also play a huge role, with research from Very good suggesting that approximately 64% of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and 65% of the thyroid hormones, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) concentrations are genetically determined. This means that if you have a close family member with the disorder, you are at increased risk of developing a thyroid condition.

“If your family also has a history of medical conditions, such as anemia or lupus, you may be at greater risk for thyroid disease. If you have an autoimmune disorder (such as type 1 diabetes) you may develop an additional autoimmune disorder such as thyroid disease.

“If you smoke, quitting can reduce your risk of thyroid disease because cigarette smoke contains toxins that amend your thyroid function.

“We recommend that you visit your GP if you think you may have thyroid disease, where you will likely have a thyroid function test. This is where a blood sample is taken to measure your hormone levels. If it is determined that you are deficient in hormones, not being produced properly by your thyroid, your doctor may recommend hormone replacement therapy.

“Performed correctly, ENT (ear, nose and mouth) surgery is not a direct cause of thyroid disease. However, in our experience, careless operations on the ears, nose and mouth can lead to complications related to thyroid disease. Careless ENT surgery can affect the central nervous system, causing the thyroid to experience fluctuating hormone levels, which creates a risk of thyroid disease.”

“It is important to note that the vast majority of ENT operations are successful, and patients receive a much better quality of life after surgery. In our experience, only in rare cases have complications occurred, and this is due to the fact that ENT operations are performed carelessly.

“To treat thyroid disease, initially a specialist doctor should do regular blood tests to measure your hormone levels. To treat hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid), a doctor may prescribe levothyroxine, which essentially replaces the hormone your thyroid isn’t making enough of.

“To treat an overactive thyroid, thionamide drugs such as carbimazole and propylthiouracil should be taken for about 12 to 18 months. In most cases, these drugs can create side effects such as sickness, pain and a high temperature. If there is no improvement with drug treatment, treatment with radioactive iodine (a form of radiation therapy) is often recommended to destroy the cells of the thyroid gland. If this fails, surgery should be recommended.

“If you have had negligent ear, nose or throat surgery which has resulted in thyroid disease then you may be entitled to compensation.”

“It can seem daunting, but making a claim can provide the financial support you need to help your life move forward. We’ll walk you through the process, step-by-step, to make the experience as stress-free as possible and help you reach the resolution you deserve.”