Hypothyroidism happens when your thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough hormones, slowing down many of your body’s processes. The signs can be subtle at first and easy to miss. Here are 10 common symptoms you can look out for:
1. Fatigue or Constant Tiredness
Even after sleeping enough, you feel low on energy because your metabolism is slowed.
2. Unexplained Weight Gain
Slower metabolism can make you gain weight even if your diet hasn’t changed.
3. Cold Sensitivity
Feeling unusually cold or having cold hands and feet due to decreased heat production.
4. Dry Skin and Hair
Skin may become rough or flaky, hair can thin, and nails may become brittle.
5. Hair Loss
Thinning hair or hair falling out, sometimes including eyebrows.
6. Swelling in Face or Extremities (Edema)
Fluid can accumulate, making your face, hands, or feet look puffy.
7. Slow Heart Rate
A noticeably slower pulse due to reduced thyroid hormone effect on the heart.
8. Constipation
Digestive processes slow down, causing more frequent constipation.
9. Depression or Low Mood
Thyroid hormones affect brain chemistry; low levels can lead to mood changes.
10. Memory or Concentration Problems (“Brain Fog”)
Difficulty focusing, remembering things, or thinking clearly.
⚠️ Important: Having one or two of these symptoms occasionally doesn’t automatically mean hypothyroidism—but if you notice several together, or they persist, it’s wise to get a thyroid blood test (TSH, T3, T4). Early diagnosis makes treatment with thyroid hormone replacement highly effective.
If you want, I can also make a simple table showing which symptoms are most common in teens vs adults, because thyroid issues can look different depending on age. Do you want me to do that?
