04:01 pm
Sunday 13 November 2022
Hypothyroidism is a chronic condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones to meet the body’s needs.
Symptoms range from lack of energy to weight gain, though importantly these specific symptoms can also relate to a number of different health issues or are just a sign that you need a good rest, according to Live Science. .
How do you know that the thyroid gland is causing you health problems?
Thyroid hormones are directly responsible for how the body uses and stores energy. And when levels are low, your metabolism slows down, affecting nearly every organ in your body. This could be caused by anything from thyroid damage to autoimmune disorders and lifestyle factors.
If you think you may be showing signs of an underactive thyroid gland, seek help from a doctor who can provide the correct diagnosis.
Fighting to lose weight
There are many reasons you may be struggling with weight loss. You may not be exercising enough or you may be eating too many calories. Perhaps you suffer from lack of sleep or some of the medications you take are interfering with your metabolism.
If your suffering is difficult to explain, hypothyroidism will need to be ruled out. Problem with weight maintenance is one of the most common signs of hypothyroidism and there are obvious reasons for this.
As mentioned earlier, thyroid hormones regulate how the body uses and stores energy. According to a Physiological Review, low levels of thyroid hormones are associated with a slow metabolism, which reduces resting energy expenditure (the number of calories you burn at rest), and this can lead to weight gain.
Thyroid hormones also help regulate your appetite, according to a study published in the Journal of Thyroid Research, so an underactive thyroid can make you feel hungrier, even if you don’t need to eat more.
Tired all the time
Fatigue is a very broad symptom that can indicate many different health problems. Fatigue can be a direct result of chronic stress, lack of sleep, certain medications and physical exertion, and rest usually helps rejuvenate you.
However, if your tiredness has no reasonable explanation and if a good night’s sleep doesn’t make a huge difference to your energy levels, it could be a sign of hormonal issues.
In fact, fatigue is one of the primary signs of hypothyroidism. In a study published in the European Journal of Endocrinology, fatigue was reported as a symptom in 52% of adult patients and 31% of pediatric patients.
As mentioned above, thyroid hormones are directly responsible for energy metabolism. As your metabolism decreases, your body will try to conserve as much energy as possible.
Cold intolerance
Have you been more sensitive to the cold lately? Having difficulty tolerating cold weather is another sign of an underactive thyroid.
When your thyroid hormones aren’t working as they should and your metabolism slows down, your ability to stay warm also decreases. According to a study in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, about 40 percent of people with hypothyroidism feel more sensitive to cold than they used to.
Muscles and joints ache
Muscles and joints ache for various reasons. According to an article in the American Family Physician, muscle problems can be due to a combination of infectious, neurological, inflammatory, rheumatic, genetic, metabolic, electrolyte, or drug-induced causes. But if everything seems to be in perfect order, yet you find yourself experiencing aches and pains, you may need to get your thyroid hormones checked.
People with hypothyroidism experience a change in metabolism that is more catabolic rather than constructive. Catabolism is a state of breaking down muscle tissue for energy, while anabolics help you gain muscle. When thyroid hormone levels drop, muscle mass and strength can decrease, leading to pain and weakness.
Dry skin and thinning hair
Dry skin and thinning or dry hair is another sign of hypothyroidism. And just like any other cell in the body, the growth and metabolism of hair follicles and skin cells are regulated by thyroid hormones.
A study published in the International Journal of Trichology reported differential levels of hypothyroidism in different types of alopecia and also demonstrated that the prevalence of hypothyroidism in patients with alopecia increases with age.
Similarly, when skin cells aren’t renewed frequently enough, dead skin cells don’t shed like they normally would. A buildup of damaged skin can lead to flaking and dryness.
Heavy or irregular menstrual periods
Changes in the menstrual cycle can happen for many different reasons. While some may be relatively harmless and related to lifestyle factors such as stress, diet, travel or changes in body weight, others indicate serious health problems.
In fact, abundant and/or irregular menstruation is one of the signs of hypothyroidism. This is because thyroid hormones are related to the function of the reproductive system.
The complex interaction of different hormones helps regulate the menstrual cycle and ensure that the ovaries and uterus are functioning properly. According to a review published in the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, women with hypothyroidism tend to have increasingly irregular menstrual periods.
Depression
One of the less obvious signs of an underactive thyroid gland is depression.
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