Symptoms of Hypothyroidism

When you consider how tiny the thyroid gland really is, you may find it surprising that it can be responsible for such a large number of associated symptoms of hypothyroidism. We tend to think of hypothyroidism mostly in terms of our metabolism and its connection to our ability to lose or gain weight, but it’s really so much more.

The thyroid gland, which is often compared to the shape of a butterfly, manufactures important and necessary hormones the human body needs in order to remain in optimal health. Most important, the gland must produce these hormones in exactly the right amount.

If the thyroid isn’t making enough of these hormones, which is quite common, the body can develop any of the various symptoms of hypothyroidism. Unfortunately, there are so many symptoms of hypothyroidism that are wrongfully attributed to other disorders, it is often overlooked and the hypothyroidism diagnosis is missed.

Flaw in Hypothyroidism Testing

Because of flaws in the currently used testing methods, many people are misdiagnosed due to inaccurate negative test results. And their health care provider never associates their complaints with the symptoms of hypothyroidism.

The consequence is that many patients, who would benefit from the right treatment for hypothyroidism, are given other medications and treatments which are unnecessary and oftentimes dangerous. Because of this, a thorough knowledge of the many symptoms of hypothyroidism is the only absolute approach for an accurate diagnosis of hypothyroidism.

There is an approach which is not only quite simple, but always leads to a correct diagnosis. It involves a therapeutic trial wherein the patient simply follows a proper hypothyroidism treatment protocol. It includes eating the correct diet for hypothyroidism and closely monitoring symptoms. If your symptoms improve, you can rest assured your suspicions about having Hypothyroidism are correct.

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism by Category

Symptoms of hypothyroidism are numerous and involve several systems of the body. Before we take a look at some of the signs you need to be aware of, keep in mind that in its early stages, hypothyroidism usually has very mild symptoms that can easily be overlooked.

Eventually, however, as hormone levels worsen, symptoms will become more apparent. Also keep in mind that the condition is more prevalent in women than in men and especially in women over the age of 50.

Below, I’ve broken down the symptoms of hypothyroidism by simple categories according to the system they affect.

Muscle and Joint Problems

Hypothyroidism has a tendency to create muscle or joint-related complications. Symptoms of hypothyroidism can range from a mild sense of weakness in your arms to the debilitating condition known as carpel tunnel. Any of the following symptoms could actually be pointing to hypothyroidism.

A general sense of weakness
Carpal tunnel (pain, tingling, burning and discomfort in your wrist)
Cramps or stiffness
Discomfort in your toes
Joint pain and aches
Muscular weakness
Muscular pain
Tarsal tunnel syndrome (pain, tingling, burning, and discomfort in the arch of your foot
Tendonitis (legs or arms)

Voice, Neck and Throat Problems

The following hypothyroidism symptoms often begin with a sense of swelling or fullness in the neck. As the disorder progresses, you may develop a noticeable swollen neck or goiter.

Hoarse or gravelly voice
Swollen neck or swollen area in the neck
Goiter
Pain in neck region
Noticeably enlarged thyroid

Eye Problems

Eye problems related to hypothyroidism are often misdiagnosed. Many people have a tendency to attribute blurred vision and dry eyes to growing older, but oftentimes hormonal imbalances can play a significant role. So, your eye issues could be just other symptoms of hypothyroidism.

Blurred vision
Dry and gritty eyes
Heavy Eyelids
Puffy eyes
Sensitivity to light and/or the sun

Heart Problems

As you can see from this list of cardiac disorders, untreated hypothyroidism can lead to serious and life threatening conditions.

Clotting/Bleeding issues
Fast pulse (over 90 BPM)
Heart Disease
Heart Palpitations
High Blood Pressure
High Cholesterol
Low Blood Pressure
Slow pulse (under 60 BPM)

Sleep Problems

Generally, sleep disorders go hand in hand with hypothyroidism. Any of the following may be symptoms of hypothyroidism.

Difficulty getting out of bed in the morning
Excessive snoring
Feeling unrested when waking up
Frequent nightmares
Insomnia
Night Sweats
Poor quality of sleep
Sleep apnea

Energy Problems

One of the most common symptoms of hypothyroidism is a sense of being tired all the time. In fact, fatigue is often the first symptom noticed by someone suffering from multiple hypothyroid symptoms.

Afternoon energy crash
Always feeling fatigued
Feeling exhausted after 8 to 10 hours of sleep
Inability to exercise
Inability to get through a day without a nap
Loss of stamina

Hair, Skin and Nail Problems

Your hair and skin are especially susceptible to thyroid conditions. Brittle nails that tend to break, or hair that changes from normal to coarse and dry, especially if it falls out or breaks off could actually be symptoms of hypothyroidism.

Brittle Hair
Hair Loss
Loss of Eyelashes
Skin that becomes dry and coarse
Unusual loss of eyebrow hair
Brittle nails that break easily

Symptoms Specifically for Women

Thyroid hormones function in many different parts of the female body, including the reproductive system. Many women find themselves suffering from any number of the following symptoms of hypothyroidism.

Fibroids
Infertility
Loss of Libido
Painful periods
PMS
Postpartum thyroid difficulties, especially in conjunction with depression
Repeated miscarriage
Severe menstrual cramps
Unusual menstrual periods – increased flow, more frequent periods

Symptoms Specifically for Men

Similarly, the thyroid hormones are important to the male reproductive system as well. As with many of the signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism, they are often overlooked and attributed to some other disorder.

Erectile dysfunction
Loss of libido

Mental and Emotional Problems

Unfortunately, a considerable number of problems related to your mental and emotional health can actually be caused by a thyroid that isn’t producing the accurate balance of hormones.

ADD/ADHD
Antisocial behavior
Bipolar tendencies
Confusion, restlessness, poor concentration
Depression
Difficulty learning new things
Easily upset
Epilepsy or seizures
Lack of confidence
Light headedness, vertigo or dizziness
Loss of motivation
Mood swings
Panic attacks
Phobias
Slow speech,
Trembling, Jittery or shivery feeling Lack of coordination

Immune Related Symptoms of Hypothyroidism

As you can see from this list, hypothyroidism can lead to some very severe medical conditions. Unfortunately, these are often misdiagnosed and the real problem is overlooked.

Asthma
Cancer
Autoimmune Disease
Fungal and Candida infections
Lupus
Multiple Sclerosis
Recurring upper respiratory infections
Recurring urinary tract infections
Rheumatoid Arthritis

Digestive Problems

As with the other systems in the human body, digestive disorders can be annoying, and in some cases lead to more severe conditions that can become chronic and serious. If you suffer from any of these symptoms of hypothyroidism, consider the fact that your thyroid may be the problem.

Abdominal distention
Alcohol intolerance
Bad breath
Constipation
Cravings for salt
Cravings for sweets
Diabetes
Difficulty swallowing
Dry mouth
Excessive gas
Food allergies and sensitivities
Hemorrhoids
Hypoglycemia
Irritable bower syndrome (IBS)
Liver/gallbladder issues
Loss of appetite
Swollen tongue or ridges on tongue

Believe it or not, this is only a partial list of the many symptoms of hypothyroidism. If you are suffering from any of these health problems and haven’t been able to track down the cause, it’s time to consider hypothyroidism as a real legitimate possibility. Remember, even if you’ve had a thyroid tested and it came back negative, that doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t suffer from hypothyroidism.