Hypothyroidism is common. As a matter of fact and research, about 12 % of all people will have some health issue in their lifetime concerning the thyroid. Though men do experience issues with their thyroid, they are much less likely so than women. Age also plays a huge role in how this health issue shows up in a person. Hypothyroidism, specifically, behaves differently in children than it does in adults. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland that stretches across the front of your windpipe. When you swallow, you can feel it move on either side of your adam’s apple. The hormone released from the thyroid gland controls the growth and metabolism of just about every part of the body. This is a big job, so you can imagine that when something goes awry, there will be noticeable signs.
If you are wondering if it’s time for a check-up or are simply interested in the signs and symptoms of this illness, below are 6 signs to look for, and if you notice a few of these symptoms, consult your physician.
1. Exhaustion
You are more likely to feel tired, worn out, though you feel that you don’t have a reason to be. When thyroid levels are low, you will tend to feel as though you could go into hibernation. Animals that naturally do go into hibernation, have very low thyroid levels, but that is because nature designed them in that way, so that they can go into long sleeps. Our thyroid levels should never be so low that all we want to do is sleep.
2. Weight Gain
Weight gain for seemingly no reason is another symptom of hypothyroidism. If your diet has not changed in any noticeable or conscious way and you find yourself gaining weight quickly, this could be a symptom of an out of balance thyroid gland. You may also be moving more slowly or not at all due to the other symptom of exhaustion.
3. Weakness and Soreness in Muscles and Joints
Having low thyroid levels turns the metabolic switch to catabolism. The body begins to break down its tissues, as it would muscle, to gain energy. Muscle strength decreases which brings on signs of weakness. And the breaking down of tissue can cause a lot of aches and pains.
4. Hair Loss
Some people who suffer from hypothyroidism experience unnatural hair loss. Women may find themselves losing more hair than is usual when they wash or comb their hair and men with no history or family genetics of balding, may find themselves losing hair quickly. Hair follicles are also controlled by thyroid levels.
5. Dry Itchy Skin
Skin cells can begin to lose growth signals when thyroid levels are low. When the normal cycles of skin loss and renewal cease, this means that the skin that is there has been around longer than it naturally should and this causes dryness, which then causes irritation and itchiness.
6. Trouble with Concentration and Memory
You may experience a fogginess, difficulty comprehending what is read or said to you, and trouble with your memory when your thyroid levels are out of balance. There was a study done that reported that 23% of all hypothyroidism patients experience this inability to concentrate. 36% of patients described having slower thinking, while 39% reported a loss of memory. Why hypothyroidism affects the memory and the ability to concentrate is still under research.
Should you experience more than one of these signs and symptoms and there are no other reasons you are having these issues, make a date with your doctor, tell him about your symptoms, and have them check your thyroid levels to see if it is affecting your health.