Always wake up early? It could be 'hidden' symptom of a life-changing illness that needs treatment

Daily Mail​

22-05-2025

Waking up before your alarm rings could be a sign you're suffering a debilitating hormonal condition that can lead to deadly heart problems, an expert has warned.
An overactive thyroid, also known as hyperthyroidism, affects roughly one in 100 people, and means the body produces too much of a collection of hormones that make us alert.
According to hormonal disorder specialist Dr Gaurav Agarwal, early wakenings are often the first sign of the condition, as the excess hormones stimulates the nervous system in the early hours.
When untreated, the condition can cause a host of unpleasant symptoms such as thin hair, dry eyes, neck swelling, anxiety and unintended weight loss.
But most concerning are life-changing complications like weakening of bones and irregular heart beats that could lead to fatal heart failure.
Pregnant women should rush to get treated as it can increase the risk of premature birth and miscarriage.
The condition is 'relatively common in the UK,' Dr Agarwal said, yet many miss the early signs.
'It's seen more commonly in women than men, usually between the ages of 20 to 40.'
Lisa Artis, deputy chief of The Sleep Charity and sleep advisor, explained: 'If your thyroid is overactive, the stress response can become imbalanced, causing you to wake up too early and feel restless.'
One common cause of hyperthyroidism is the autoimmune condition Graves' disease, which happens when an excess of 'fighter' proteins cause the thyroid to produce too many hormones.
Graves' disease can also cause eye problems like bulging eyes, double vision, and eye irritation.
Genetic predisposition and environmental factors like smoking may increase the risk, but it is most common in women over 30.
Actress Daisy Ridley, famed for her role as Rey in the Star Wars franchise, recently opened up about her Graves' disease diagnosis in Women's Health Magazine.
After suffering from symptoms including hot flashes, racing heart, hand tremors and fatigue following the filming of psychological thriller Magpie, the 33-year-old visited her GP, having put her health woes down to the role.
The star says she implemented some lifestyle changes to help her manage the disease, including eating a mindful diet and exercising.
Nearly a third of Britons struggle to stay asleep throughout the night, according to a poll by bed brand Simba.
And adults between the ages of 25 to 34 are the most likely to suffer from the frustrating early wake-ups, according to the survey.