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An expert has warned that regularly waking up “too early” could be a sign of a serious health issue. This symptom could point to a thyroid disorder - something which affects around one in 20
people in the UK. The thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland found in the neck. It produces thyroid hormones - T4 (thyroxine) and T3 (triiodothyronine) - which help control your
metabolism, heart rate, body temperature, and energy levels. When the thyroid malfunctions, it can become underactive - known as hypothyroidism, or overactive - known as hyperthyroidism.
Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can affect sleep. Lisa Artis, deputy CEO of the Sleep Charity partnered with Simba, warned that this includes how much sleep you’re able to get at
night. “Waking up too early can point to an under or over active thyroid,” she said. This is because thyroid hormones play a key role in maintaining the circadian rhythm, which regulates the
sleep-wake cycle. Incorrect hormone levels can disrupt this rhythm, leading to early morning waking. Other ways in which these disorders can affect sleep include: * Hyperthyroidism - this
often causes more noticeable sleep disturbances because it speeds up metabolism, leading to insomnia, restlessness, night sweats, and a racing heart - you may feel “wired”, but exhausted *
Hypothyroidism - this can lead to excessive sleepiness, fatigue, and trouble staying awake during the day due to a slowed metabolism - it can also cause sleep apnoea, which disrupts sleep
quality. If the issue is trouble falling or staying asleep, hyperthyroidism usually has a bigger impact, according to Lisa. If it’s feeling constantly tired, hypothyroidism is generally more
to blame. Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) is more likely to cause you to wake up early during the night. This is because excess thyroid hormones can speed up your metabolism and
stimulate your nervous system, leading to symptoms like anxiety, rapid heart rate, and restlessness. This can increase cortisol levels (the stress hormone), which may cause you to wake up
earlier than usual, especially in the morning. These factors can disrupt your sleep cycle, causing you to wake up frequently or too early in the morning. Lisa explained: “Cortisol plays a
role in waking you up in the morning, but if your thyroid is overactive, the stress response can become imbalanced, causing you to wake up too early and feel restless.” OTHER SYMPTOMS
Thyroid issues can cause a range of other symptoms. Lisa said: "What distinguishes waking early from thyroid issues from occasional bouts of early morning waking is the presence of
other symptoms, such as persistent fatigue, unexplained weight gain or weight loss, and feeling excessively cold or overheating. “Other symptoms can include irregular periods, brain fog,
muscle aches, dry skin, and changes in appetite. Thyroid symptoms usually develop slowly and gradually, and can be quite vague, often overlapping with other conditions, which can make it
difficult to diagnose. If you experience any symptoms, you should speak to your doctor. They may want to conduct a blood test to detect a thyroid problem.