{"id":659,"date":"2022-06-27T02:59:19","date_gmt":"2022-06-27T06:59:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/health.awesomejelly.com\/?p=659"},"modified":"2022-06-27T02:59:19","modified_gmt":"2022-06-27T06:59:19","slug":"indications-of-hypothyroidism-or-an-underactive-thyroid-t2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/health.awesomejelly.com\/indications-of-hypothyroidism-or-an-underactive-thyroid-t2\/","title":{"rendered":"18 Indications Of Hypothyroidism, Or An Underactive Thyroid"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"

Only My Health<\/p><\/div>\n

According to the NIH<\/a>, the thyroid gland \u2018is a vital hormone gland: It plays a major role in the metabolism, growth and development of the human body.\u2019 It also helps regulate a number of body functions by continuously releasing a steady amount of thyroid hormones into the bloodstream, such as body temperature, metabolism, muscle and digestive functions, bone maintenance, as well as brain development.<\/h6>\n
The thyroid gland, which is scientifically known as the glandula thyreoida<\/a>, can be found at the front of the neck, underneath the voice box, and is shaped like a butterfly.<\/h6>\n
The American Thyroid Association (ATA)<\/a> shares that around 5 percent of U.S. adults suffer from hypothyroidism, which is an underactive thyroid. This also means that it\u2019s the most prevalent immune disease in North America.<\/h6>\n
Hypothyroidism is when the thyroid gland fails to produce the correct or adequate amount of thyroid hormone, which affects one\u2019s brain, mood, and body function. Unfortunately, around 60 percent of people suffering from thyroid disease<\/a> don\u2019t even know that they have a health issue, mostly because the symptoms are quite common, such as weight gain, extreme fatigue, moodiness, and digestive upset.<\/h6>\n
Although people will experience symptoms in different ways, as well as in varying degrees, here are 19 symptoms that could indicate having an underactive thyroid.<\/h6>\n

1. Unexplained Fatigue<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s said that fatigue is basically the universal symptom of hypothyroidism. That\u2019s because the thyroid hormone is what controls energy levels, while also telling the body when it needs to rest or sleep. According to Healthline<\/a>, \u201cThyroid hormones receive signals from the brain and coordinates cells to change their functions, depending on what else is going on in your body. Those with high levels of thyroid hormone feel nervous and jittery. In contrast, people with low levels of thyroid hormone feel exhausted and sluggish.\u201d If you manage to get a good eight hours of sleep most of the time, yet wake up feeling sluggish and have a hard time making it out of bed, or feel extremely tired all throughout the day, you may want to speak with your health practitioner about the possibility of having thyroid disease.<\/h6>\n

<\/p>\n

2. Digestive Issues<\/h2>\n
\"\"

Dr. Swetech<\/p><\/div>\n

Another common sign of thyroid disease is digestive upset<\/a>, which can cause issues like gas, bloating, abdominal cramps \u2013 even with foods that you\u2019ve been eating for years without having any digestive problems before. This could be due to hypothyroidism causing other issues such as poor absorption, gallstones, constipation, low stomach acid, chest pain, bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine, and anemia. If you notice any of these symptoms, be sure to talk to your doctor about whether you should get tested for hypothyroidism.<\/h6>\n

<\/h2>\n

3. Unexpected Weight Gain<\/h2>\n
\"\"

Dr. Kiranpeddi<\/p><\/div>\n

A very common side effect of hypothyroidism is unexpected weight gain<\/a>. Normally, this is easier to distinguish when someone notices that despite their diet and activity levels are the same as they have always been, but they continue to gain weight despite that. If you have been trying to lose weight by being more active and cutting back on calorie intake, yet you still haven\u2019t lost any weight, the reason could be due to hypothyroidism. Healthline<\/em> shares, \u201cWhen thyroid levels are low, metabolism switches modes. Instead of burning calories for growth and activity, the amount of energy you use at rest, or your basal metabolic rate, decreases. As a result, your body tends to store more calories from the diet as fat. Because of this, low thyroid hormone levels can cause weight gain, even if the number of calories eaten remains constant.\u201d<\/h6>\n

<\/p>\n

4. Feeling Irritable<\/h2>\n
\"\"

Promises<\/p><\/div>\n

Oftentimes, people that suffer from an underactive thyroid also suffer from mood imbalances. In fact, researchers that conducted a co-study at the University of Toronto<\/a> and the Department of Psychiatry at Toronto\u2019s Western Hospital found a link between hypothyroidism and permanent, even dangerous, side effects on brain function, as well as mental processes such as a gradual loss of motivation and interest in things, paranoia, bad short-term memory, and increased irritability. Moreover, more severe thyroid disease is also associated with more severe mood changes as well.<\/h6>\n

<\/h2>\n

5. Depression<\/h2>\n
\"\"

News Scientist<\/p><\/div>\n

The National Institutes of Health<\/a> published a study in 2004 that found a link between hypothyroidism and depression. Although it\u2019s not exactly clear why thyroid hormone levels and depression are linked, some experts share that it could be a possible side effect of an overall decrease in health and energy. Unfortunately, patients with depression have an increased risk of hypothyroidism, while having hypothyroidism may also cause depression. In a study of 192 people between the ages of 60 to 79 years old, it was found that around 38 percent of the study participants diagnosed with hypothyroidism were also clinically depressed, or happened to have anxiety disorder<\/a>.<\/h6>\n

<\/p>\n

6. Hair Loss<\/h2>\n
\"\"

CR Lab<\/p><\/div>\n

Another common sign of hypothyroidism is thinning hair or excessive hair fall<\/a>, whether just a little, or enough to make it come out in clumps. This is because hair follicles, much like skin cells, are also regulated by the thyroid hormone. For people with either low or an inactive thyroid gland, this causes hair follicles to stop working or to slow down in their regeneration process, causing hair to thin out or fall heavily. If you are experiencing unexplained hair fall, whether little or a lot, speak to your doctor about the possibility of thyroid disease. In the meantime, either brush your hair very gently or not at all until you know what\u2019s actually causing the hair loss in the first place.<\/h6>\n

<\/p>\n

7. Cold Sensitivity<\/h2>\n
\"\"

Accuweather<\/p><\/div>\n

One other symptom of hypothyroidism is cold sensitivity. Have you noticed that you tend to feel cold all the time? Or maybe you always look for a sweater or blanket to use, turn up the thermostat more often than not, or possibly tend to wear a pair of warm socks to sleep, despite others feeling comfortably warm. Some experts suggest doing a temperature test, where you take your temperature<\/a> once a week when you wake up. If you notice that your temp is consistently below 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit \u2013 which is considered lower than normal body temperature \u2013 you may have hypothyroidism. Speak with your medical practitioner about getting tested as soon as possible.
\n<\/h6>\n

8. Constipation<\/h2>\n
\"\"

Mark Won Surgery<\/p><\/div>\n

As mentioned earlier, having a thyroid condition leads to a number of digestive problems, including constipation. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)<\/a>, constipation is described as \u2018a condition in which you may have fewer than three bowel movements a week; stools that are hard, dry, or lumpy; stools that are difficult or painful to pass; or a feeling that not all stool has passed.\u2019 Because hypothyroidism tends to cause the body processes to slow down, it can also cause issues like irregular and decreased bowel movements, even to just once or twice a week.<\/h6>\n

<\/p>\n

9. Muscle Weakness<\/h2>\n
\"\"

Patient Pop<\/p><\/div>\n

When people have an underactive thyroid, it may cause the body to move into catabolism. An article in ScienceDirect<\/a> explains catabolism as \u2018all chemical or enzymatic reactions involved in the breakdown of organic or inorganic materials such as proteins, sugars, fatty acids, etc.\u2019 When catabolism occurs, it causes the body to break down muscle tissue, producing muscle weakness. For example, people that don\u2019t suffer from hypothyroidism, they may get muscle cramping after doing some physical activity, while someone with an inactive thyroid may get muscle cramping without any physical activity at all. An article in Healthline<\/em> even shared, \u201c34 percent of low-thyroid individuals get muscle cramps in the absence of recent activity.\u201d<\/h6>\n

<\/p>\n

10. Dry and Itchy Skin<\/h2>\n
\"\"

Healthline<\/p><\/div>\n

Much like the other symptom of hair loss, individuals with an inactive thyroid tend to experience dry and itchy skin<\/a>. That\u2019s because like hair follicles, skin cells also have a quick turnover where if their thyroid doesn\u2019t work properly, they lack the growth signals from the thyroid gland hormone that signals them it\u2019s time for new skin cells to grow. Healthline<\/em> says, \u201cThis means the outer layer of skin has been around longer, accumulating damage. It also means that dead skin may take longer to shed, leading to flaky, dry skin.\u201d Moreover, if someone is dealing with dry and itchy skin, and allergies is not the culprit, then it could be due to thyroid issues.<\/h6>\n

<\/p>\n

11. Inability To Get Pregnant<\/h2>\n
\"\"

Times of India<\/p><\/div>\n

Experts share that women that have difficulty getting pregnant, or go through early menopause, sometimes have an underactive thyroid. In an interview with Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Bone Diseases at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai<\/a> in New York City, Gregory Dodell, MD, with Everyday Health<\/em>, he explained, \u201cTherefore, women who are trying to get pregnant or are planning to try and get pregnant in the near future should have their thyroid levels checked. We also monitor women who are being treated for hypothyroidism closely during pregnancy, since the dose of medication may need to be adjusted.\u201d<\/h6>\n

<\/p>\n

12. Having Heavy Periods<\/h2>\n
\"\"

One Well Beck<\/p><\/div>\n

Much like issues with hypothyroidism and infertility is an issue, another issue is having heavy periods. In the Everyday Health interview, Dr. Dodell explained, \u201cwomen may experience a change in their menstrual cycle if their thyroid function is off.\u201d This is mostly due to the thyroid hormone interacting with the body\u2019s other hormones that are in charge of the female menstrual cycle. A study<\/a> from 1997 found that 40 percent of women dealing with hypothyroidism experienced increased menstrual irregularity or heavy bleeding within one year.Healthline<\/em> also explains, \u201c30-percent of women with hypothyroidism had irregular and heavy periods. These women had been diagnosed with hypothyroidism after other symptoms had caused them to get tested.\u201d<\/h6>\n

<\/p>\n

13. Trouble Concentrating<\/h2>\n
\"\"

Rejuve Health Clinics<\/p><\/div>\n

Some experts share that people suffering from hypothyroidism normally complain about mental \u201cfogginess\u201d or the inability to concentrate. In a 1997, it found that 22 percent of individuals with an underactive thyroid have difficulty doing everyday math, while 36 percent share that they can\u2019t think as fast as usual, while 39 percent claim a lower memory. Everyday Health<\/a> shares, \u201cAlthough hypothyroidism can cause trouble with memory, the encouraging news is that researches don\u2019t believe it leads to permanent cognitive dysfunction, according to a study published in the journal JAMA Neurology in 2014.\u201d Of course, this can vary from person to person, depending on their individual case.<\/h6>\n

<\/h2>\n

14. Memory Problems<\/h2>\n
\"\"

Fibromyalgia News Today<\/p><\/div>\n

As mentioned earlier, patients diagnosed with hypothyroidism tend to struggle with concentration and mental \u201cfogginess,\u201d often leading to memory issues as well. A Healthline<\/a> article shared that in a study of 14 men and women with untreated hypothyroidism, the participants claimed difficulty when tasked to remember verbal clues. While mental fogginess and a lack of concentration can happen to anyone, when it\u2019s sudden or severe, check with your doctor about the possibility of having an underactive thyroid.<\/h6>\n

<\/h2>\n

15. High Cholesterol Levels<\/h2>\n
\"\"

CTF<\/p><\/div>\n

High cholesterol is caused by a number of different health issues, and one of them is due to the inability of the thyroid to produce hormones and high levels of the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) which \u201cthe body produces to stimulate the thyroid gland to secrete more thyroid hormone,\u201d shares Everyday Health. Meanwhile, in two 2012 studies published in the Clinical Thyroidology journal also says the same, explaining that when they \u201cfound that higher TSH levels were associated with higher cholesterol levels.\u201d But on the other hand, Sanjay Dixit, MD from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center<\/a> said that \u201cminor hypothyroidism, however, usually doesn\u2019t affect cholesterol.\u201d<\/h6>\n

<\/h2>\n

16. Swollen Face<\/h2>\n
\"\"

Thyromate<\/p><\/div>\n

Another indication of an inactive thyroid is having a swollen face<\/a>. This symptom is usually reported by patients to be felt or seen around the eyes, cheekbones, and lips. Normally, this sign is one that shows up later one alongside other symptoms such as weight gain, constipation, and fatigue. If you find that your face is puffier or more swollen than usual, it might be a sign that you should get yourself to the doctor to talk about whether you should get tested for hypothyroidism or not.<\/h6>\n

<\/h2>\n

17. Sleeping Issues<\/h2>\n
\"\"

Sleep Foundation<\/p><\/div>\n

Another indication of an underactive thyroid is having trouble sleeping, or difficulty being able to fall asleep at all. Since thyroid problems affect many body processes, sleep is yet another issue that falls under this problem. In fact, individuals with hypothyroidism complain of extreme fatigue during the day and difficulty sleeping at night. Medical Director of the Sleep Disorders Center<\/a> in Prescott Valley in Arizona, Robert S. Rosenberg, DO, says, \u201cAbout 30 percent of people with hypothyroidism have sleep apnea.\u201d If you have issues sleeping or falling asleep, alongside other symptoms on this list, talk to your doctor about getting tested for hypothyroidism.<\/h6>\n

<\/h2>\n

18. Muscle Aches<\/h2>\n
\"\"

iHealthspot<\/p><\/div>\n

Yet another indication of an underactive thyroid is patient\u2019s feeling aches and pains in their muscles and joints. Healthline<\/a> shares, \u201cA low thyroid hormone flips the metabolic switch toward catabolism, which is when the body breaks down body tissues like muscle for energy.\u201d As explained earlier, due to a decrease in catabolism, it often leads to muscle weakness, aches and pains. While having weakness, aches, and pains after a strenuous workout is normal, when you feel them for no particular reason at all, it could be due to thyroid problems. Be sure to make an appointment with your doctor to talk about the possibility of having an underactive thyroid.<\/h6>\n

<\/p>\n

When To See a Doctor<\/h2>\n
\"\"

Medical News Today<\/p><\/div>\n

Hypothyroidism is a common disorder, but not one that is life threatening. Of course, the symptoms and signs that come alongside this disease can be quite debilitating and hard to deal with, but thankfully it\u2019s also a disease that is easily treatable with medication. If you are experiencing any of these indications of having an underactive thyroid, it would be best to make an appointment with your doctor to finally get tested so that if it comes back positive, you can begin treatment quickly and get your life back on track.<\/h6>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

According to the NIH, the thyroid gland \u2018is a vital hormone gland: It plays a major role in the metabolism, growth and development of the human body.\u2019 It also helps regulate a number of body functions by continuously releasing a steady amount of thyroid hormones into the bloodstream, such as body temperature, metabolism, muscle and digestive functions, bone maintenance, as well as brain development. The thyroid gland, which is scientifically known as the glandula thyreoida, can be found at the front of the neck, underneath the voice box, and is shaped like a butterfly. The American Thyroid Association (ATA) shares <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":640,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[50,34,35,51,52],"yst_prominent_words":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/health.awesomejelly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/659"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/health.awesomejelly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/health.awesomejelly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/health.awesomejelly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/health.awesomejelly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=659"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/health.awesomejelly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/659\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/health.awesomejelly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/640"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/health.awesomejelly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=659"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/health.awesomejelly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=659"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/health.awesomejelly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=659"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/health.awesomejelly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=659"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}