Hypothyroidism (Underactive thyroid)

What is hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism also known as underactive thyroid is when the thyroid gland produces too little thyroid hormone. click the link to learn more about the thyroid disease and thyroid gland.

Causes of hypothyroidism

• Hashimoto’s disease (the most common cause)
• Surgery (thyroidectomy or subtotal thyroidectomy)
• Radioactive iodine therapy

Symptoms of hypothyroidism

These are the symptoms of hypothyroidism

• Fatigue
• Tiredness
• Cold intolerance (unable to tolerate cold like other people in the same place
• Coarse, dry hair
• Hair loss
• Dry, rough skin
• Hoarse or croaky voice
• Constipation
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Abnormal menstrual cycles
• Problems with fertility
• Reduced libido
• Weight gain and difficulty losing weight.
• Puffy face with bags under the eyes
• Muscle weakness, cramps, and frequent muscle aches
• Depression
• Slow speech, movements, and thoughts
• Irritability
• Memory loss
• Difficulty Concentration
• Slowed heart rate
• Slight rise in blood pressure
• Raised cholesterol.
• Slowed growth in children.

Diagnosis of hypothyroidism

Click to read about the diagnosis of thyroid disease.

Treatment of hypothyroidism

Thyroid hormone replacement is the mainstay of treating hypothyroidism.

Your doctor will prescribe you levothyroxine which is the synthetic T4 (thyroxine) This medication works the same way your own thyroid hormone would work so it’s unlikely that you will have side effects from it.

Hypothyroidism and Anxiety

Studies have linked hypothyroidism to anxiety. A study showed that people with hypothyroidism had increased chance of having anxiety. Another study that screened 100 people to find out the prevalence of anxiety among people diagnosed with hypothyroidism found that 63% of people screened showed some degree of anxiety.

Hypothyroidism face

People with hypothyroidism may have puffy face.

Frequently asked question