If Not Treated in Time, Complications May Occur
Risk of Premature Birth or Miscarriage Increases for Pregnant Women
If you often find yourself waking up earlier than your set alarm time, or if you wake up early on weekends even without setting an alarm, it may not be a simple issue of sleep habits. Instead, it could be a sign of hyperthyroidism caused by hormonal imbalance. Hyperthyroidism refers to a condition where the thyroid gland secretes excessive thyroid hormones, resulting in abnormally increased metabolism. When there is an overproduction of thyroid hormones, symptoms such as excessive sweating, rapid heartbeat, fatigue, and anxiety may occur.
On May 22, 2025 (local time), the UK Daily Mail reported, citing an interview with local endocrinologist Dr. Gaurav Agarwal, that "waking up before the alarm goes off can be a sign of a dangerous hormonal disorder, which may lead to fatal heart disease." Dr. Agarwal stated, "If you frequently wake up in the early morning or find yourself waking up easily, it is a signal that the thyroid hormone, which regulates the body's metabolic rate, is being excessively secreted."
Dr. Lisa Artis, a sleep expert at the UK sleep organization The Sleep Charity, also said, "When the thyroid is overactive, the stress response becomes unbalanced, often causing awakening in the early morning or feelings of anxiety." She added, "If symptoms such as fatigue, weight loss, dry eyes, swelling around the neck, and increased heart rate are present, you should visit a hospital to receive an accurate diagnosis."
If you repeatedly experience early waking or changes in your usual sleep patterns, you should not simply attribute it to stress or fatigue. Instead, you need to pay attention to the signals your body is sending. In particular, if hyperthyroidism is not treated in a timely manner, it can lead to various complications, so early diagnosis and treatment are important. The bones may become weakened, similar to osteoporosis, and for pregnant women, the risk of premature birth or miscarriage may increase. If treatment is delayed, it can also affect the health of the fetus.
Dr. Agarwal said, "The most serious complication of hyperthyroidism is heart-related problems, which can lead to irregular heartbeat or heart failure due to excessive cardiac load." He continued, "Because the initial symptoms of thyroid disorders are often vague and easy to miss, it is important to pay close attention to even small changes and get tested if necessary." Meanwhile, thyroid function can be checked with a simple blood test. The test measures levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroid hormones (T3·T4) in the blood. Generally, if TSH is low and T3 and T4 are high, hyperthyroidism may be suspected.
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