It's important to distinguish menopause symptoms from thyroid symptoms. Thyroid disorders are common in women and can be diagnosed with a simple blood. Mar 8, 2017 - Here are 10 common signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism, or low thyroid. Women are eight times more likely to develop a thyroid disorder.
We respect.When most people think of hypothyroidism symptoms, fatigue and weight gain usually come to mind. But hypothyroidism symptoms vary from person to person, says Antonio Bianco, MD, PhD, an endocrinologist at the BiancoLab at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.Knowing what truly looks and feels like starts with learning about the so-called “hallmark” symptoms — those most often experienced by people diagnosed with hypothyroidism — as well as the lesser-known symptoms that might catch you off guard. Common Symptoms of HypothyroidismWhen the thyroid gland is underactive, it doesn’t make enough thyroid hormone, and this begins to slow down the body’s processes, according to the American Thyroid Association. As a result, one of the major is low energy.“People might complain that it’s very hard to get up in the morning,” Dr. They might fall asleep quickly once they sit down during the day.In addition, because the thyroid gland normally increases energy expenditure, hypothyroidism slows metabolism, which can lead to a sensitivity to cold as well as.
When hypothyroidism is severe, it could slow down metabolism by as much as half.However, some people with hypothyroidism may not gain weight, and when they do it’s often because of water retention, according to Bianco's. Unexpected Symptoms of HypothyroidismWhile fatigue and slower metabolism are widely known as being associated with hypothyroidism, you may also experience several other symptoms, including:1. Hypothyroidism causes the brain to slow down. This can make it difficult to focus, which could lead to clinical. “It’s underestimated how much hypothyroidism can cause depression,” Bianco says. When mood is compromised, people may also say they feel weak and stiff.2. Memory problems.
Although hypothyroidism can cause trouble with memory, the encouraging news is that researchers don’t believe it leads to permanent cognitive dysfunction, according to a study published in the journal JAMA Neurology in 2014.3. Frequent constipation. Hypothyroidism may also slow down the digestive system, which can lead to chronic.4. Thyroid hormone plays a key role in healthy skin. Bianco says that dry skin is a common complaint among people with hypothyroidism.5.
People who had undiagnosed hypothyroidism for several months as well as those with severe cases may sustain hair loss over much of their scalp.6. Changes in the menstrual cycle.
For women with hypothyroidism, the menstrual period might be longer or shorter, or the volume of blood may increase.7. Fertility doctors usually check the thyroid, Bianco says. If hypothyroidism is found to be the cause of infertility, treating it often leads to successful pregnancy.8. High cholesterol. Low levels of thyroid and high levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which the body produces to stimulate the thyroid gland to secrete more thyroid hormone, can lead to.Two studies published in 2012 in the journal found that higher TSH levels were associated with higher cholesterol levels. Minor hypothyroidism, however, usually doesn’t affect cholesterol, says Sanjay Dixit, MD, an endocrinologist at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.In addition to these symptoms, if hypothyroidism goes untreated it may also lead to a puffy face, hoarseness, thinning eyebrows, slow speech, thickened skin, and trouble with taste and smell. Treating HypothyroidismInforming your doctor about your symptoms is important, but you won’t be diagnosed with hypothyroidism unless a blood test confirms you have it.
Dixit says good guidelines don’t exist for routine checks of thyroid hormone levels. If you’re not complaining about hypothyroidism symptoms, your doctor may not include a thyroid check during an annual physical, he says.Also, if you’re being treated for depression with an antidepressant but your depression symptoms aren’t improving, the depression could be caused by hypothyroidism, Bianco says. In that case, the depression wouldn't be relieved unless the hypothyroidism is addressed, he says.That’s why telling your doctor about all of your symptoms is important to give a complete picture of what you’re experiencing. Hypothyroidism is easy to test for and treat.
For many people with hypothyroidism, treatment can successfully relieve symptoms.
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Please accept our privacy termsWe use cookies and similar technologies to improve your browsing experience, personalize content and offers, show targeted ads, analyze traffic, and better understand you. We may share your information with third-party partners for marketing purposes. To learn more and make choices about data use, visit our. By clicking “Accept and Continue” below, (1) you consent to these activities unless and until you withdraw your consent using our rights request form, and (2) you consent to allow your data to be transferred, processed, and stored in the United States.Hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid, is when the thyroid gland produces too few hormones.
Low levels of thyroid hormones can cause a wide range of signs and symptoms from changes in mental functioning to digestive issues.The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland that sits in front of the neck. Thyroid hormones play a vital role in regulating metabolism and energy use and affect almost all of the body's organs.In the early stages, a person may not notice any symptoms. However, without treatment, can lead to severe complications, such as and.In this article, we describe 12 common signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism. We also discuss how common hypothyroidism is and when to see a doctor. Image credit: Stephen Kelly, 2019 1. Fatigueis one of the most common symptoms of hypothyroidism.Many people with the condition report feeling so exhausted that they are unable to go about their day as usual.The fatigue occurs regardless of how much sleep a person gets or how many daytime naps they take.
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Treatment for hypothyroidism usually improves people's energy levels and functioning. Weight gainThyroid hormones regulate, food intake, and the metabolism of fat and sugar. People with low levels of thyroid hormones can experience weight gain and an increase in body mass index.Even mild cases of hypothyroidism may increase the risk of weight gain. People with the condition often report having a puffy face as well as excess weight around the stomach or other areas of the body. Sore muscles and jointsHypothyroidism can affect a person's muscles and joints in numerous ways, causing:.
aches. pains. stiffness. swelling of the joints. tenderness. weaknessalso suggests a link between thyroid disorders and, which is an autoimmune condition that causes painful swelling in the lining of the joints. Effective treatment for both conditions will help people manage their symptoms.
Mood and memory changesIt is common for individuals with untreated hypothyroidism to experience:. apathy, or general lack of interest or feelings of indifference. impaired memory function. less attentiveness and concentration. low moods. slower thinking and speechThese symptoms can occur because the brain requires thyroid hormones to function correctly.
Shows that low levels of thyroid hormones can cause changes in brain structure and functioning.These brain changes can reverse once a person begins treatment. Feeling cold. A person with hypothyroidism can continually feel cold.Hypothyroidism can slow down metabolism, which can lead to a drop in core body temperature.
As such, some people with low levels of thyroid hormones may feel cold all the time or have a low tolerance of the cold.This feeling of coldness can persist, even when in a warm room or during the summer months. People with hypothyroidism often report having cold hands or feet, although they may feel that their whole body is cold.These symptoms are not exclusive to hypothyroidism, however. Circulation problems or can also cause people to feel chilly. ConstipationDigestion is another body function that can slow down due to hypothyroidism.Studies that an underactive thyroid can cause problems with movement through the gut and the activity of the stomach, small intestine, and colon.These digestive changes cause some people to experience.Doctors typically define constipation as having fewer than. A person may also have hard stools, difficulty passing stool, or a feeling of being unable to empty the rectum fully. High cholesterolThyroid hormones play a vital role in removing excess from the body via the liver.
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Low hormone levels mean that the liver struggles to carry out this function and blood cholesterol levels can increase.suggests that up to 13 percent of individuals with high cholesterol also have an underactive thyroid. As a result, many experts recommend that doctors routinely test people with high cholesterol for hypothyroidism.Treating the thyroid problem may help reduce cholesterol levels, even in those who do not take cholesterol-lowering drugs. Slow heart ratePeople with hypothyroidism may also have a slower heart rate, or bradycardia. Low thyroid levels can affect the heart in other ways too. These effects may include:. changes in. variations in heart rhythm.
less elastic arteriesBradycardia can cause weakness, dizziness, and breathing problems. Without treatment, this heart condition may result in serious complications, such as high or low blood pressure. Hair lossUntreated hormone disorders, including thyroid problems, can contribute to. This is because thyroid hormones are essential for the growth and health of hair follicles. Hypothyroidism hair loss from the:. scalp.
eyebrows. legs. other body partsPeople with thyroid problems are also more prone to developing alopecia, which is an autoimmune condition that causes hair to fall out in patches. Dry skin and weak hair and nailsAn underactive thyroid affects the skin in various ways and can cause symptoms,:. dry, coarse skin. paleness.
thin, scaly skinPeople with hypothyroidism may also develop dry, brittle, and coarse hair or dull, thin nails that break easily.These symptoms usually clear up once people begin thyroid hormone therapy. This content requires JavaScript to be enabled.Briden, L. What your period is trying to tell you about your thyroid.Definition & facts for constipation. (2018).Emamifar, A., et al. Thyroid disorders in patients with newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis is associated with poor initial treatment response evaluated by disease activity score in 28 joints-C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP): An observational cohort study.Goiter.
(n.d.).Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). (2016).Safer, J. Thyroid hormone action on skin.Samuels, M. Psychiatric and cognitive manifestations of hypothyroidism.Sanyal, D., & Raychaudhuri, M.
Hypothyroidism and obesity: An intriguing link.Udovcic, M., et al. Hypothyroidism and the heart.Willard, D. Thyroid function testing in patients with newly diagnosed hyperlipidemia.Vincent, M., & Yogiraj, K. A descriptive study of alopecia patterns and their relation to thyroid dysfunction.Yaylali, O., et al. Does hypothyroidism affect gastrointestinal motility?