Most cases of hypothyroidism go undiagnosed due to a failure to recognize its symptoms. This is a cause for alarm since undiagnosed and untreated hypothyroidism can lead to more complicated and serious health problems. It can increase the risk of developing obesity, depression, infertility, and hair loss. The videos and links that follow provide additional insight to help you understand and treat hypothyroidism.
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Symptoms of Hypothyroidism
A symptom is defined as the effects of disease that are detected, sensed, or felt by the sufferer. It is subjective evidence of illness, disease, or any other health related condition.
Most cases of hypothyroidism go undiagnosed due to a failure to recognize its symptoms. This is a cause for alarm since undiagnosed and untreated hypothyroidism can lead to more complicated and serious health problems. It can increase the risk of developing obesity, depression, infertility, and hair loss. Some of the most common symptoms of hyperthyroidism include the following:
- Discomfort around the neck area, hoarse voice, and difficulty in swallowing. All these symptoms of hypothyroidism point to a possible enlargement of the thyroid gland and other thyroid-related problems.
- Menstrual irregularities are experienced by women suffering from an underactive thyroid. The menstrual period is usually longer and the flows are much heavier. Some have reported more cramping and periods occurring closer together as well.
- Feelings of depression and sadness are symptoms of hypothyroidism. These symptoms are due to the impact of low thyroid hormones on the serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is known as a “feel good” hormone that is responsible for controlling moods.
- Fatigue or lethargy results from a slowed body metabolism and slowed down body functions. The resulting feeling is a sense of wanting to sleep all the time even during the daytime. There is less stamina and less energy for the usual daily activities of living.
- Cold intolerance, which stems from wanting to get your body warmed up. A slow metabolism means there is less energy being created and less heat production.
- Loss of sex drive: Low amounts of thyroid hormones can cause low libido as well. Also, other symptoms of hypothyroidism such as weight gain, having low energy levels, and some body aches or pains might contribute to the general lack of sexual desire.
- Bowel problems: One of the most common complaints of people with hypothyroidism is constipation. This is most likely due to the slowing of the digestive processes and the metabolic activities. The motility in the large intestines is reduced which leads to a reduction in bowel movement.
- Numbness in fingers and toes or tingling; pins and needles kind of sensation in the arm, legs, hands, and feet that have no apparent cause. Long term untreated hypothyroidism can cause damage to the nerves and nerve endings that send and receive signals from the brain and other parts of the nervous system to the rest of the body. This is the cause of those seemingly unexplained tingling sensations that could sometimes be interpreted as pain.
Other symptoms of hypothyroidism are:
- Muscle and joint pains, or sometimes muscle weakness
- Forgetfulness, changes in consciousness, and difficulty in focusing or concentrating
- Difficulty in conceiving or getting pregnant
The severity of the symptoms one feels depends on several factors: on age, the length of time you have had low thyroid hormone levels, and the seriousness of the condition. In the earlier stages of hypothyroidism, the symptoms may be so mild that they go unnoticed for several years.
The important thing is to seek medical help and attention as soon as possible when experiencing the above mentioned symptoms. Early diagnosis leads to early treatment and early relief.