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Article on: Under Active Thyroid Symptom
What is the Thyroid?
What is the thyroid? Well your thyroid is what is known as an endocrine gland. It sits in the front of your neck and lies in a position just below your Adam’s apple.
Endocrine glands are the ductless glands of your endocrine system. These glands secrete their products 'hormones' directly into your blood. Through these hormones it produces, the thyroid gland then influences most of the metabolic processes within your body.
Your thyroid is made up of 2 lobes - the right lobe & the left lobe. Each lobe is about the size of a nectarine cut in half. These 2 lobes are then joined by a small bridge of thyroid tissue called the isthmus & lie on either side of your windpipe.
The thyroid hormone helps control the speed of your bodies metabolism. The faster your metabolic rate, the more calories your body burns at rest.
These hormones keep your body functioning at the correct speed. If your thyroid gland does not make enough hormones, then your bodies cells work slower than normal, and so things get out of kilter.
Your endocrine system makes hormones that help control the way your body functions. Your thyroid gland makes the following 3 hormones:
Thyroid disorders are very common & anybody of all ages can be affected. However, thyroid issues tend to occur more in women than men.
About 1 in 20 people has some kind of thyroid disorder, which may be temporary or permanent. Thyroid disorders can range from a harmless issue like a thyroid on neck, up to a more serious issue like thyroid cancer. A thyroid blood work test will determine any unusual signs underactive thyroid or overactive.
In this article we will examine what is underactive thyroid symptoms, types, diagnosis & thyroid treatments. Then finally its impact & how these may all affect terms for life insurance, critical illness, income protection & private health insurance.
What are causes of Thyroid Problems?
So what are causes of thyroid problems? Well, let's look at the 2 main types of symptoms thyroid problems (thyroid hypo or hyper).
- Hypo thyroidism = Under-active thyroid'
- Hyper thyroidism = 'Over-active thyroid'
Under-Active Thyroid Symptom | 'Hypo thyroidism' Autoimmune
What is an underactive thyroid or 'Hypo thyroidism'. The medical causes originate from an under-production of your thyroid hormones thyroxine (also called T4). Your bodies energy production requires certain amounts of these thyroid hormones. Any drop in your hormone production then leads to lower energy levels ie; not enough thyroxine is produced for your bodies needs.
Causes of underactive thyroid (hypo thyroidism) are via your bodies immune systems (which usually fights infection) now instead attacking your thyroid gland, and then damaging it. This means it is then not able to make enough of the hormones so reducing your thyroxine role. Viral Infections & some medicines can also cause signs of underactive thyroid.
Untreated for long periods of time, hypo thyroidism can bring on a a rare but potentially fatal thyroid condition called a myxedema coma (this requires immediate hormone treatment). There are several conditions when testing thyroid function, that may cause an under-active thyroid.
* Hypothyroidism Hashimoto | Immune System
Hypothyroidism hashimoto disease is the most common type of autoimmune disorder reaction that causes makes your thyroid under-active. Thyroid hashimoto appears to run in families (familial or hereditary), but it's not clear what causes this thyroid disease hashimoto. It's also common in people with other immune system disorders, such as type 1 diabetes and vitiligo.
* Removal of the Thyroid
Removal of the thyroid or Thyroidectomy is the surgical removal of all or part of your thyroid gland. However, an underactive thyroid can still occur as side effects or complications of the removed thyroid or previous thyroid treatments.
You can also have a thyroid surgical treatment called radioactive iodine therapy. Surgery & removal by a thyroid endocrinologist specialist is the sometimes the recommended treatment for several disorders of the thyroid gland.
* Hypothyroidism Lithium | Under Active Thyroid Symptom
Many common medication drugs can affect thyroid functions, so your GP will then need to checkout the cause of underactive thyroid. One in particular is Lithium, a medication often used for the treatment of mood disorders, including bipolar disorder. However, it is also associated with an increased risk of hypothyroidism, known as Hypothyroidism Lithium.
* Hypothyroidism Goitre | Thyroid on Neck
Hypothyroidism goitre is an enlarged thyroid on neck or multi-nodular goitre. This may cause obstructive symptoms of breathing or swallowing difficulties. Sometimes this can also lead to both 'underactive thyroid symptoms' & what are overactive thyroid symptoms.
If your GP thinks you have a hypothyroidism goitre, they will examine your thyroid on neck to check if your thyroid gland is swollen. Thyroid symptoms neck nodules are lumps or swellings in the thyroid gland & most are harmless. Either way don't leave it to chance & check in case the goitre thyroid symptoms are among the few that are cancerous.
They may also request a underactive thyroid nhs symptoms test - to see how well your thyroid functions are working.
* Hypothyroidism Iodine Deficiency | Iodine in Hypothyroidism
Iodine in Hypothyroidism is one element that plays a crucial role & causal factor if symptoms for low thyroid are deficient. Goitre iodine deficiency occurs when you are not having sufficient iodine in food & diet.
The body does not make iodine, so it is an essential part of a balanced diet. Iodine is found in various foods but to prevent iodine deficiency in past history, the introduction of iodized salt virtually eliminated iodine deficiency in Europe.
* Hypothyroidism with Pregnancy
Several traits of what is underactive thyroid symptoms are similar to Hypothyroidism with Pregnancy. For example, when pregnant you may get extra weight gain, more fatigue, or abnormal menstruations, which are common to both conditions.
In pregnancy thyroid issues are usually caused by thyroid hashimoto, the autoimmune disorder. During pregnancy thyroid level are often mild for many women and so you may not have uncomfortable pregnant thyroid symptoms.
However, untreated pregnancy thyroid issues in more extreme female cases can lead to pre-eclampsia, anemia, miscarriage, low birth weight or even stillbirth.
* Hypothyroidism with Weight Loss
There is a complex biological relationship between thyroid disease, body weight & metabolism. Weight gained in hypothyroidism is due to a greater accumulation in water & salt. So, conversely once treated you can expect a small hypothyroidism with weight loss impact (upto 10% of body weight).
Thyroid hormones have been used in the post as a weight loss tool ie; hypothyroidism lose weight. Scientific studies have shown that excess thyroid hormone treatment can for some help produce more weight loss for thyroid underactive patients, than any success may be achieved by just dieting alone.
However, once any specialist excess thyroid hormone medication is stopped, the excess weight loss is usually regained, unless balanced against other hypothyroidism weight targeted activity.
Over-Active Thyroid | Hyper Thyroidism
'Hyperthyroidism' (overactive thyroid) causes originate from an over-production of 2 thyroid hormones; thyroxine (T4) & triiodothyronine (T3). An over-active thyroid can speed up your metabolism also causing unpleasant symptoms.
There are several conditions that may cause an over-active thyroid sometimes known as hyperthyroidism 8.
Is overactive thyroid dangerous? YES, if left untreated.
* Graves' Disease NHS | Graves' Disease Symptoms
Graves' disease NHS state is an autoimmune condition where your bodies immune system mistakenly attacks your thyroid which then causes it to become overactive. Graves' disease NHS state is the no 1 cause of 'hyper thyroidism', with 3 in every 4 people with an over-active thyroid gland.
The cause of Graves' disease NHS advise is unknown, but it seems to be triggered by a combination of genes or outside virus. It mostly affect younger or middle-aged women & can be familial (hereditary). Smoking can also increase your risks of having to then get graves' disease.
Radioiodine therapy is a common and effective graves' disease treatment which slowly destroys the cells of the thyroid gland that produce thyroid hormone.
Graves' disease symptoms are the same as symptoms for overactive thyroid.
* Thyroid Lumps | Thyroid Nodules Cause
Your can get an over-active thyroid if thyroid lumps (thyroid nodules) then develop on it thus causing it to swell.
Thyroid nodules are usually benign and non-cancerous. Thyroid Nodules cause maybe a simple overgrowth of normal thyroid tissue, fluid-filled cysts, inflammation (thyroiditis). Or it can be a tumor (either benign such as pituitary adenoma or cancerous thyroid) which can result in the production of excess thyroid hormones all leading to 'hyper thyroidism'.
The real thyroid nodules cause is not known why some people develop them, but they seem to mostly affect people over age 60.
* Iodine in the Thyroid | Iodine in food & medicine
Taking additional iodine in medicine supplements can cause your thyroid gland to produce too much hormones.
This is also known as iodine in hyperthyroidism (Jod-Basedow phenomenon). It usually only occurs if you already have nodules in your thyroid gland.
* Secondary Hyperthyroidism
Secondary hyperthyroidism is a less common variant and it may be due to hypothalamic or pituitary disease
The main cause of secondary hyperthyroidism is therefore failure of the pituitary gland to correctly secrete thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).
What are Underactive Thyroid Symptoms?
Many 'under-active thyroid symptom' are the similar to those of other health conditions, so your GP may therefore initially confuse under active thyroid symptoms for something else.
Thyroid underactive symptoms can often develop slowly over several years. Initially, some people may not even realize they have a hypothyroidism autoimmune medical problem.
So what is Underactive Thyroid Symptoms?
The NHS advise typical symptoms underactive thyroid may produce include:
- constipation
- depression
- slower thoughts & movements
- tiredness & fatigue
- slow heart rate
- cold intolerance
- weight gain
- puffy face, hands & feet
- enlarged thyroid lumps goiter
- muscle aches, cramps & weakness
- arthritis
- dry and scaly skin
- brittle nails
- heavy menstural or irregular periods
- low-pitched & hoarse voice
- hearing loss
- anaemia
- reduced body, scalp & eye brow hair
- loss of sex drive libido & infertility
- pain, numbness and a tingling sensation in the hand & fingers (carpal tunnel syndrome)
Elderly people over 65 who get symptoms under active thyroid may also develop memory problems & depression. Young children with 'under active thyroid symptom' may experience slower growth & development. Teenagers adolescents with symptoms of low thyroid may start puberty earlier than normal.
Let's now look at different genders for their various 'symptoms under active thyroid' produces.
Under Active Thyroid Symptom in Females
Women's health mag identifies 14 underactive thyroid symptoms female specific.
- Weight changes
- Abnormal blood pressure
- New bathroom habits
- Fatigue
- Mood changes
- Period issues
- Changes in hair and skin
- Muscle aches and weakness
- Mental fog
- Puffy or dry eyes
- Always being cold—or hot
- Thinning eyebrows
- Swelling in your lower extremeties
- Infertility
So under active thyroid symptoms in female are such that they more likely than men to have some type of thyroid disease. In some western countries, one in eight women will develop a thyroid problem during her lifetime.
Thyroid Symptoms for Female & Famous Celebrities
Mens Thyroid Symptoms | | Under Active Thyroid Symptom
There are some mens thyroid symptoms specific to males who have the disease. Often these underactive thyroid symptoms in males or indeed overactive may be overlooked because they are not always associated with a thyroid dysfunction.
Symptoms of underactive thyroid in males:
- Hair loss
- Lower sex drive
- Low sperm count
- Loss of body muscle mass
- Erectile dysfunction
- Delayed ejaculations
- Lowered testosterone levels
- Gynecomastia (male breast enlargement)
While it is known that thyroid disease like 'underactive thyroid' mainly affects women, around 20 percent of thyroid problems symptoms in men.
Thyroid Symptoms Men & Famous Celebrities
Foods Thyroid?
NHS GP's state there is no evidence that eating or avoiding certain foods thyroid function may improve in people.
The British Thyroid Foundation state there are no specific foods or dietary supplements that are more helpful in treating any symptoms low thyroid disorders.
They advise that to ensure that you remain as healthy as possible it is important to eat the right variety of foods & in their correct proportions.
- Eat daily at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and veg
- Dairy or dairy alternatives
- Higher fibre starchy foods like potatoes, bread, rice or pasta
- Beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat & other proteins
- Unsaturated oils & spreads in small amounts
- Drink plenty of fluids (at least 6 to 8 glasses a day)
Food Thyroid Home Remedies | Under Active Thyroid Symptom
Some foods which are usually healthy for some people may contain goitrogens. These are compounds that block the usage of iodine which is required for the thyroid to work properly for normal metabolic function.
Usually, any goitrogenic in food are mostly deactivated when any foods are cooked. However, if you have symptoms low thyroid function, it maybe worth keeping a food diary as a thyroid home remedies ie; check if certain foods containing goitrogens are affecting your daily wellbeing.
Like any foods, if eaten regularly but in much larger quantities, then problems may occur. Goitrogen-rich foods include:
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Swedes
- Broccoli
- Kale
- Brussels Sprouts
- Turnips
- Collard Greens
- Soy
All these foods may interfere with how the body produces thyroid hormones and so should be eaten in moderation.
Thyroid for Yoga | Inflammation Thyroid
Yoga is one way of helping improve your thyroid health & counter under active thyroid symptom issues or as treatments for hyperthyroidism.
All yoga techniques work on coping with your thyroid issue symptoms better. GP's will advise they are not a substitute to your medication. Yoga for underactive thyroid with consistent practise may in some cases reduce the need for some medicine or strengths over a period of time.
Before you start exercising yoga of thyroid flow moves (thyroid yogasan), it is usually recommended you just consult your GP or medical professional.
What are Overactive Thyroid Symptoms?
What is overactive thyroid symptoms are sometimes similar to an under active thyroid symptom. You may have one or several of these develop over time, if you have symptoms for overactive thyroid.
- Eyes that bulge out ie; Graves’ disease
- A swelling goiter in the neck
- Irregular rapid heartbeat & palpitations
- Shakiness & muscle weakness in the upper arms & thighs
- Anxiety, nervousness & irritability
- Hyper activity
- Increased bowel movements and more frequent urination
- Weight loss despite increased appetite
- Hair loss from thyroid including thinning, brittleness & alopecia
- Rapid fingernail growth
- Excessive perspiration sweating
- Extreme tiredness
- Shaky trembling hands
- Redness on the palms
- Loss of interest in sexual libido
- In women, irregular or no periods
- Low serum cholesterol levels
Your thyroid level high symptoms can all depend on your age & on what is causing your overactive thyroid. How severe your hyperthyroid symptoms are do not always reflect how high your thyroid hormones are. For example, you may feel fairly well even if your overactive thyroid signs differently ie; hormones are quite high.
Inflammation Thyroid | Thyroiditis Uk
Thyroiditis is an swelling or inflammation thyroid gland ie; enlargement of the thyroid. It can cause 2 extremes; either much higher levels of thyroid hormones in the blood or much lower symptoms low thyroid. There are several different types of thyroiditis.
These thyroiditis symptoms nhs state can manifest in some people thyroiditis neck pain.
Is Thyroiditis painful ? YES unfortunately and especially if you are awaiting a thyroiditis blood test or seeing a thyroid endocrinologist due to any NHS delays. This pain may last for several weeks, or in extreme cases several months.
Hashimotos Thyroiditis
Hashimotos thyroiditis is caused by the immune system attacking the thyroid gland, which damages it & makes it swell up.
Thyroiditis hashimoto cannot be cured even after thyroid blood tests but the ongoing symptoms can be treated with levothyroxine, taken long term to replace the missing thyroid hormone.
Thyroiditis de Quervain
Thyroiditis de Quervain or subacute thyroiditis is a painful swelling inflammation. This Thyroiditis UK NHS think is triggered by a viral infection, such as mumps or flu and may occur in females aged up to 50.
Thyroiditis Cancer | Cancer of the Thyroid Symptoms
Thyroiditis Cancer is a fairly rare type affecting the thyroid gland. Thyroid with cancer is usually treatable fortunately by a thyroid endocrinologist. In many cases it can be cured completely, although it can sometimes come back after treatment.
It is more common in people in their 30's or those over age 60. This cancer of the thyroid symptoms women are 2/3 x more likely to develop thyroiditis cancer than men.
What Thyroid level is Normal? | Blood Test Thyroid
A blood test thyroid specific measuring your hormone levels is the only accurate medical way to find out what thyroid level is normal or if there is a problem. eg; symptoms of underactive thyroid but blood test normal?
Thyroid TSH Levels | Under Active Thyroid Symptom or Over Active?
Thyroid TSH levels (thyroid function tests normal range) looks at all levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroxine (T4) in the blood.
A high level of TSH and a low level of T4 in the blood could mean you have an under-active thyroid symptom.
- TSH level is high | T4 result is low = 'thyroid underactive' (hypo thyroidism) that requires treatment.
- TSH level is low | T4 result is high = 'over-active thyroid' (hyper thyroidism) that requires treatment.
Thyroid normal range for female
TSH will vary throughout life re signs of thyroid problems. The thyroid normal range for female TSH levels is between 0.5 to 5.0.
However, during pregnancy, the female menstruation cycle or after menopause the TSH levels may fall slightly outside the normal range, because of fluctuating levels of estrogen.
Thyroid how to check?
All you will need on how to check for thyroid problems signs are:
- Glass of water
- Handheld mirror
Testing for Thyroid Function | Neck Check
- Hold the mirror in your hand
- Focusing on the lower front area of your neck, above the collarbones, and below the voice box (larynx)
- Your thyroid gland is located in this area of your neck
- While focusing on this area in the mirror, tip your head back
- Take the glass drink of water and then swallow
- As you swallow, look at your neck.
- Check for any neck bulges, thyroid lumps or protrusions in this area when you swallow
- The thyroid gland is located further down on your neck, closer to the collarbone
- You may want to repeat this process several times
- If you do see any bulges or protrusions in this area, see your physician.
- You may have an enlarged thyroid gland or a thyroid nodule and should be checked to determine whether cancer is present or if treatment for thyroid disease is needed.
Note: Don’t confuse your Adam’s apple with whats a thyroid when testing for thyroid function.
Thyroid Disease Hereditary?
Some medical studies have shown that 75% of the time, people with some form of thyroid disease advise that a similar family link or a thyroid disease hereditary root.
The greater the number of family members that have thyroid issues, then the higher the chances any patient will also experience a thyroid problem.
For some Autoimmune thyroid disorders, there seems to be a genetic link for some types of familial thyroid disorders ie; making what blood test for thyroid easier to determine.
Thyroid Medication List
The most common treatment for 'hypo thyroidism' on the thyroid medication list is levothyroxine. This is a medical version of the human thyroid hormone thyroxine (T4) & acts like the hormone your thyroid gland usually makes.
The most common treatment for hyper thyroidism on the UK thyroid medication list is Carbimazole & Propylthiouracil. These both work by reducing the amounts of thyroid hormone released into the bodies circulation.
From 2022 there is now a competitor to usual levothyroxine versus armour thyroid (natural desiccated thyroid) which is a natural product made from animal thyroid glands. Discuss with your GP the benefits of either for what cause of thyroid problem is best for yourself & any under active thyroid symptom you have.
Underactive Thyroid Life Insurance
Underactive Thyroid Life Insurance
Under Active Thyroid Symptom & Life Insurance?
Getting life insurance and underactive thyroid issues at standard terms is possible for underwritten applications (but only if well controlled). Does under active thyroid life insurance affect terms? YES is the answer.
If your thyroid control is poor, with recent hospitalisation or recent switching of medications by your GP, it could mean an insurance health rating.
Worst case scenario, some Insurers may even refuse to offer any insurance at all (or at least for the time being) until your thyroid is under better control.
As brokers, note some UK Life Insurers may charge you 'health rated' hypothyroidism and life insurance rates but some others may not.
So, to best ensure you get life insurance if you have a thyroid under active or an over active thyroid, in order to best determine whether or not terms maybe offered, please have any medical related details to hand. Also your latest treatments for thyroid to declare as & when needed on the life insurance application.
Unsure what your medications all are or were? We recommend that you contact your GP surgery asap. If not, Insurers could automatically overrate or decline the premium by assuming your 'underactive thyroid symptoms' are worse than it is, or not well managed, which is not what you want.
Is Under Active Thyroid Symptom a pre-existing condition?
Are 'underactive thyroid symptoms' a pre existing condition for insurance. YES is the answer.
The Insurers application questions re thyroid typically asked…
- When diagnosed with 'underactive thyroid' ?
- How many medications do you take?
- Any other associated health issues?
- Familial history?
All insurance application naturally ask lots more health & lifestyle questions eg; smoking status, drinking, height & weight. From your BMI kg, they can work out if this is also a factor to consider for life insurance with asthma.
Most Life Insurance coverage policies include terminal illness benefit, which usually means you have less than 12 months to live (terminal illness therefore is not to be confused with a critical illness policy). As such, take this into account for life insurance and underactive thyroid, where medical questions are asked & any issues over claims.
Note: if you have various other associated health issues, then we recommend you get Broker help & advice here if unsure. This can be complex area into what is considered normal terms re thyroid insurance lifecover via some UK Insurers.
Life Insurance Types | Under Active Thyroid Symptom
There are 2 main types of life insurance types for those with under-active thyroid symptoms in the UK Protection marketplace:
1] Term Insurance
Term Life Insurance is a simple plan that pays out a cash sum if you died during the fixed time period your policy runs for. The sum paid out on death insurance stays level for family lifecover or decreasing for mortgage protection.
The premiums usually remain level during the term, whether you are near the policy beginning or end. Most term plans also include free 'terminal illness' cover. You can choose options of Lump Sums or Family Income Benefits & also if you want your cover to be inflation proofed.
The longer any level term insurance runs, then the more expensive it costs ie; 40 years term maybe double or more the cost than 20 years, as the insurance risks are higher as you get older. Insurers may allow you to take a term insurance plan upto age 90.
2] Whole of Life Insurance
Whole of Life Insurance policy, always pays out if you die ie; whenever this happens (as long as you have kept up with monthly payments & T&C's). For someone with thyroid under-active issues, whole life insurance maybe the most expensive compared to term insurance, as it will always payout.
Note: Over 50's Lifecover asks no medical questions about any health issues of either 'hypo thyroidism' or 'hyperthyroidism'. It could always be a choice if you had say thyroid cancer life insurance that asks medical questions would be declined or too expensive, or you have other poor health issues.
Consider placing the policy into trust to help avoid probate or Inheritance Tax IHT issues.
Graves' Disease Life Insurance?
If you have graves' disease life insurance is potentially available at standard premium rates - if this your only medical health issue and under control.
NOTE: if you have other associated poor health issues then we recommend you get Insurance Broker help & advice here if unsure for any new application, as this can be complex insurance area.
Thyroid Cancer Life Insurance?
If you had thyroid cancer life insurance is potentially available but possibly not at standard rates. Terms will all depend on when you last received thyroid surgery, thyroid cancer diagnosis severity & treatments.
- Cancer thyroid treatment more than 2 years ago & no long term problems
- Your premiums will depend on stage / grade / severity of the thyroid cancer
- Maybe standard terms if low stage grade or rated terms applied if higher grade stage thyroid cancer
- However, if any cancer thyroid treatment was in the past 2 years
- If so likely postponed terms until a period of 2 years +
UNSURE? We recommend you get Insurance Broker help & advice for any new life insurance thyroid cancer application, as this can be complex insurance area.
Under Active Thyroid Symptom & Income Protection Insurance
An Income Protection PHI Insurance will usually not payout any claim benefits just for a thyroid diagnosis, unless it was then serious enough to keep you off working, based on your policy terms. It could be you were asked to have a medical test at the time you took out the plan which also checked your hyper thyroidism or the Insurers had your full GP report?
There are several types of income protection sickness insurance for those with 'underactive thyroid' or 'over-active thyroid'. Budget cover that pays out for say 1 or 2 years per claim. Comprehensive cover that pays out potentially full term per claim.
For example, your budget PHI plan says it will pay you after 4 weeks illness and for upto 1 year per policy claim and if unable to do your own occupation. If you are told by GP to now take 6 months off work to recover before returning back to work, then the PHI could payout an income to you tax free after 4 weeks for upto 6 months.
However, if at time of original PHI application you already were using health treatments for thyroid & maybe other health issues, then there may well be health rated terms & exclusions been applied. This means you potentially could not claim for existing thyroid related issues, if it was an exclusion.
We recommend you get Broker help & advice here if unsure for any new PHI application, as this can be complex area.
Under Active Thyroid Symptom & Critical Illness Insurance
Critical Illness Cover is an insurance policy that pays out a tax-free sum to help protect you, should you suffer a critical illness & become seriously ill, as specified by the Insurers critical illness coverage policy.
Is Thyroid Cancer covered by Critical Illness Insurance?
YES. However, check your critical illness policy terms & conditions ie; Some plans may class any cancer thyroid as a full critical illness claim & then the insurance plan will end.
Other Insurers may class a thyroid cancer critical illness claim as a 'part claim' only, allowing the main critical illness plan to remain. This may then allow further claims for other serious health problems, like heart disease or stroke.
Contact us for Professional Life Insurance Agent help.
Under Active Thyroid Symptom & Health Insurance
The good news is free thyroid treatments healthcare are usually available for all on the NHS, for those who may not afford private health insurance.
Private health insurance may however offer some advantages over the NHS due to speed of access, that could take weeks (also due to the health pressures of pandemic 2020's). Also, if you are not happy with your NHS GP or Consultant 'underactive thyroid' or 'over-active thyroid' diagnosis.
As long as you are not already diagnosed with under-active thyroid at the time of claim already, you can potentially make a claim.
- Extra help for any difficult under active thyroid symptoms
- Quicker access to tests & thyroid treatments
- 2'nd medical opinion
- Longer appointment consultant times
- ie; They can fully get into your symptoms, concerns etc
Contact us for Broker help re Private Health Insurance & symptom of underactive thyroid.
Under Active Thyroid Symptom | Broker FAQ
Importance of Disclosure & Claims?
All Insurers are in business to protect, insure & payout. Life Insurance is therefore based on your full disclosure at the time you take the original policy out (even if it costs more for life insurance and underactive thyroid sufferers) ie; being 100% as honest & accurate as possible. It is not always easy to remember all your historic health details when applying.
The Consumer Insurance Act 2013 says you must not be acting careless, deliberate or reckless manner when applying. If so, it may not payout ! eg; If you have family history of diabetes or heart issues (even if you are okay currently) then you must tell them. Or, you forget to even advise you have under active thyroid asthma because it does not currently cause you any health problems.
Should you make a claim, your Insurers will send you a claim form for you to complete. Once received back, they will usually contact your GP to confirm any health details disclosed ie; underactive thyroid nhs symptoms confirmed on diagnosis.
They will then assess if your insurance claim is valid and cross check if you originally disclosed all the correct details - on your life insurance, income protection or critical illness claim. If you look at most Insurers recent claims payout, you will see that it is Good (but like most Insurers – not 100%).
What if my health changes after taking the policy out?
Any health or lifestyle changes since, usually does not void your existing life policy, if it wasn’t relevant at that time of initial underwritten insurance application. For example, you have thyroid issues diagnosed several years afterwards. In this instance, the insurers should not classify the original application for life insurance thyroid biased. It maybe the Insurers request GP reports when you originally apply, to check any health details disclosed. Likewise they may not.
So take care to doubly re-check on your application what you initially disclosed to the Insurers, as this information then stands now and in the future. Please check your original T&C’s.
Alternatively, if your own Insurers originally applied 'health rated terms' on hypothyroidism and life insurance, then it can be worth reviewing your application. If your health has improved and thyroid underactive symptoms are now under control. It could be we could get better terms via another Insurer? Contact us for Broker help
Article on 'under active thyroid symptom' by Martyn Spencer Financial Adviser (2025)
For reassurance re health for men & women – we review many of the best Life Insurers selling Life Insurance in UK (inc NI)
NOTE: This generic article touches on various medical issues & information re 'symptom of underactive thyroid' & overactive. The latest health guidance on this may change regularly re Covid 19, so any article comments may not always be accurate. However, we are not GP's or health professionals so always seek medical advice & latest guidance via NHS if unsure.
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