Hypothyroidism lowers your body’s metabolism rate. When the metabolism slows, it reduces sweating and diminishes your typical skin cell turnover. What does that mean for your body?
Unfortunately, slow turnover affects everything from your scalp to your fingernails and typically results in abnormal dryness. Where the skin dries out, your fingernails may become dry and brittle, and your hair follicles weaken, causing hair loss.
If your heartbeat feels a bit sluggish, it could be due to a lack of the thyroid hormone that controls heart rate. Hypothyroidism causes the heart muscle to pump 10-20 beats per minute less than someone without thyroid issues.
This condition is called bradycardia. If your heart rate rests below 60 beats per minute and you feel faint, dizzy, or fatigued, it could signal a problem. Refusal to treat the condition could lead to adverse side effects, including angina (chest pain) and heart palpitations.
With a slower metabolism, it’s easier to gain weight and harder to work it off. Some of the weight gain is fat, but much more of it is caused by fluid buildup from the effects of hypothyroidism on the kidney’s function.
Because the thyroid is underperforming, your metabolism will slow, and your body will burn fewer calories, making weight gain exponentially easier. Approved medication and treatment from a thyroid specialist can help keep your metabolism in check, but you should also consider holistic lifestyle changes to keep the weight away.
Speaking of dry skin, the thyroid hormone plays an important role in hair follicles' growth, development, and maintenance. Less thyroid hormone in the body means less maintenance of follicles, causing hair to fall out.
To determine if your hair loss is related to hypothyroidism, monitor other symptoms, too. Are you gaining weight, having abnormally dry skin, and being sensitive to the cold? If yes, it's time to visit the endocrinologist.
Pale or yellow skin can affect people with hypothyroidism due to changes in blood flow and the breakdown of beta-carotene. Low thyroid hormone levels slow down the conversion of beta-carotene to vitamin A, causing a yellowish tint to the skin.
Additionally, reduced blood flow can make the skin appear paler than usual. These changes are often accompanied by dry and flaky skin. Anemia or underlying conditions causing hypothyroidism can contribute to changes in skin color, which we discuss further in later slides.
As with most body systems, an underactive thyroid can damage the digestive tract. Muscles that line the large and small intestines can become weak, lessening contractions which causes the stool to move slowly.
Thyroid hormones control basically every basic body function, meaning digestion slows down with the rest of them. Slow digestion leads to long, long bathroom breaks...
A goiter is an enlarged thyroid gland that can make the neck/throat area appear enlarged and/or swollen. It can be caused by overstimulation of the gland to get it to produce the right amount of hormone.
As your body attempts to compensate for low hormone production, it will enlarge the thyroid gland right in the front of your neck. It's basically a giant Adam's apple, which isn't pleasant!
Mood changes, including depression, are common symptoms of hypothyroidism. The thyroid hormone affects brain function, and low levels can lead to feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest in activities once enjoyed.
People with hypothyroidism may also experience fatigue and low energy, which can worsen depressive symptoms. Treating the thyroid condition often helps improve mood and overall mental health.
The thyroid controls metabolism, heart rate, and body temperature—all functions that keep our bodies warm. Therefore, a thyroid hormone deficiency can slow the body’s processes and cause sensitivity to cold.
Even the slightest chill will throw you into a spiral and cranking up that heated blanket. Spare your heat bill, please, and check your hormone levels with an endocrinologist.
Fertility problems are a significant concern for people with hypothyroidism because hormone imbalances can disrupt ovulation and menstruation, impacting fertility. The thyroid hormone plays a crucial role in regulating the reproductive system.
When hormone levels are low, it can hinder menstrual cycles in women and can affect men with the disease, too. This imbalance makes it harder for women to conceive and can contribute to issues like irregular periods or even infertility.
Anemia, a condition where there are not enough red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to the body's tissues, is common with untreated hypothyroidism. This happens because low thyroid hormone levels can reduce the production of red blood cells.
Symptoms of anemia include fatigue, weakness, and pale skin. Treating hypothyroidism can help improve red blood cell production and alleviate these symptoms.
The body requires certain amounts of thyroid hormones to create energy. A drop in hormone production leads to lower energy levels, which can cause feelings of weakness and fatigue.
It really sucks when your thyroid is fatigued, your entire body is fatigued, too. Working toward an active lifestyle can help boost energy levels, but the only long-term fix to chronic fatigue is consulting with a doctor for synthetic hormone replacement.
Thyroid deficiencies can cause voice changes such as low voice, roughness, reduced range, and vocal fatigue. The larynx is directly above the thyroid in the neck. If the thyroid becomes larger than normal, pressure on the larynx will be placed, which will cause vocal dysfunction.
That being said, a goiter is typically the first red flag that you're about to lose your voice and it could be a wake-up call that the endocrinologist's office is in your future.
The thyroid also controls—you guessed it—the brain. Therefore, hypothyroidism can affect your memory span and ability to concentrate, mimicking symptoms of mild dementia.
Don't panic! These symptoms are typically mild, and you probably won't forget your partner's name. However, keeping your health in check and treating any uncommon symptoms is important.
Swelling, especially in the face, hands, and feet, is common in hypothyroidism. This occurs because low thyroid hormone levels can cause the body to retain more water and salt, which results in puffiness and a general "heaviness."
Swelling can also be uncomfortable and may make it difficult to wear rings, shoes, or watches that previously fit well. Fluid buildup in tissues can cause puffiness in the face (periorbital edema) and around the ankles. Keep reading to learn more about swelling in other areas, such as the tongue, which can be a tell-tale sign of the disease.
One type of thyroid disease is Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks the thyroid. This disease can attack the central nervous system, which can, in turn, cause hand tremors.
Hashimoto's is the most common cause of hypothyroidism because it is an autoimmune disorder that can be triggered by the environment or passed down through genetics.
Hypothyroidism can cause fluid to build up in the joints as the metabolism slows down, which leads to swelling that causes pain. This occurs most in people whose hypothyroidism is poorly managed; however, proper treatment lessens these symptoms.
The first step to securing proper treatment is locating your nearest Diabetes & Endocrinology clinic. The doctor will consult with you and order blood tests to test your hormone levels. If they're low, they will likely prescribe medication like the name-brand Synthroid.
That’s right—the thyroid also controls the menstrual cycle! Is there anything the thyroid doesn't touch? Too much or too little thyroid hormone can cause very light, heavy, or irregular cycles.
Women need to be especially cautious because this can also cause problems with infertility because — you guessed it — the thyroid also controls ovulation.
An enlarged tongue, or macroglossia, can be a rare symptom of hypothyroidism. Low thyroid hormone levels cause tissues to retain fluid, leading to swelling. A swollen tongue can feel uncomfortable and may cause speech, chewing, and swallowing difficulties. It can also lead to other issues such as sleep apnea if it blocks the airway during sleep
A swollen tongue is a more frequent symptom in infants born with hypothyroidism (congenital hypothyroidism). This is because their developing tissues, including the tongue, are more sensitive to thyroid hormone deficiencies. In some cases, hypothyroidism can contribute to a scalloped appearance on the edges of the tongue.
Hormones produced in the thyroid affect just about every cell in the body, including the ones that control health and pleasure. Hypothyroidism can cause dysfunction and/or pain for women and lower overall drive for both genders.
Symptoms like fatigue, depression, and brain fog can strain relationships and lead to communication difficulties. If things are terribly difficult, consider consulting a couples therapist or visiting your endocrinologist. Your hormones might be out of wack and require a new dose of medication to stabilize your body.
Hypothyroidism and anxiety and/or depression have many of the same signs and symptoms, sometimes causing a misdiagnosis of either condition, such as weight gain, memory loss, and fatigue. The best way to diagnose hypothyroidism is through a simple blood test.
Because many of their symptoms overlap, it's a good idea to get checked for any health conditions that may be contributing to adverse symptoms of anxiety and depression. While thyroid medication may help solve these mental issues, it's possible that they are unrelated.
Hypothyroidism can cause elevated cholesterol levels in the blood. The thyroid hormone helps regulate metabolism, including the way the body processes fats. When hormone levels are low, the body may not break down and remove cholesterol efficiently, leading to higher levels in the bloodstream.
High cholesterol increases the risk of heart disease and requires monitoring and management, and hypothyroidism definitely affects low-density lipoprotein (LDL) production, or "bad" cholesterol levels.
Fluid retention, or puffiness, is a common sign of hypothyroidism. This happens because the body holds onto extra water and salt due to low thyroid hormone levels. Puffiness is most noticeable in the face, especially around the eyes, and in the hands and feet.
It can be uncomfortable and may cause rings and shoes to feel tight, or contribute to overall feelings of heaviness and lethargy.
Difficulty concentrating, often referred to as "brain fog," is a frequent symptom of hypothyroidism. Low levels of thyroid hormone can slow down brain function, making it hard to focus, remember things, and think clearly.
This can affect daily tasks, work performance, and overall quality of life. People may feel forgetful, disoriented, and unable to complete tasks efficiently, which can worsen mental health disorders like anxiety and depression.
Loss of eyebrows, particularly the outer third, is a distinctive sign of hypothyroidism. This symptom is less common but can occur in some untreated cases.
The thyroid hormone influences hair growth, and a deficiency can lead to thinning hair and eyebrow loss. This symptom is noticeable and can be distressing for those affected. Along with eyebrows, hair on the scalp and other parts of the body may also thin or fall out.
Slow reflexes, or hyporeflexia, are common in hypothyroidism. The thyroid hormone plays a vital role in maintaining the speed and responsiveness of the nervous system. When hormone levels are low, the body's reflexes become sluggish.
This can be tested by a doctor tapping on tendons to check reflex responses, which will be slower than normal in people with hypothyroidism. Nerve impulses may be slowed by the hormonal imbalance and can be treated with prescribed medication.
Changes in thyroid function can affect mood regulation, leading to mood swings. The thyroid hormone's influence on brain chemistry affects every part of the body, including mental health and emotion regulation.
People with hypothyroidism may experience rapid changes in mood, feeling happy one moment and sad or irritable the next. This instability can affect relationships and daily functioning. Managing thyroid hormone levels through medication often helps stabilize mood.
Carpal tunnel syndrome, characterized by numbness, tingling, and pain in the hands and fingers, can be associated with hypothyroidism. The condition occurs when swelling in the wrist compresses the median nerve.
Low thyroid hormone levels can lead to fluid retention and tissue swelling, contributing to this nerve compression. Treating hypothyroidism can alleviate these symptoms and decrease numbness or tingling.
A slowed metabolism may make it difficult for the body to tolerate temperature changes, resulting in less sweating. The thyroid hormone helps regulate body temperature, which is why those affected are sensitive to both cold temperatures and moderate heat.
When hormone levels are low, the sweat glands do not produce as much sweat, leading to dry skin and an inability to cool down effectively. This can make physical activities uncomfortable and increase the risk of overheating.
A sluggish metabolism can lead to muscle aches, stiffness, and weakness due to a buildup of waste products and inefficient energy production. Stiffness refers to a feeling of tightness and reduced flexibility in the muscles and joints. People with hypothyroidism often experience this symptom because low thyroid hormone levels can lead to inflammation throughout the body.
This inflammation causes discomfort and makes it harder to move around, making simple activities like getting out of bed or stretching can become challenging. Stiffness can be particularly noticeable in the morning or after periods of inactivity.
