Hypothyroidism is most well known for its relationship to your metabolism and oftentimes weight gain or the inability to lose weight. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg when you begin to look at the multitude of various hypothyroidism symptoms ranging from digestive to sensory symptoms. But also keep in mind that different people develop different symptoms. There is no one set pattern of symptoms that all hypothyroid people progress through. It all has to do with how your body responds and compensates.
One person might gain 30 lbs. and be unable to lose it no matter what. And the next person may develop heart palpitations or chronic depression. If you find yourself suffering from any of these symptoms then you have to strongly consider that you very well might be hypothyroid. And I encourage you to take an active role in your health because all too often we place our health in the hands of others who don’t have our best interests in mind.
So, do yourself a favor and educate yourself, or find someone who is willing to educate you on what is really happening with your body and what the underlying cause of your health problems really is. Only then can you make an educated decision as to what is best for your health.
General Hypothyroidism Symptoms:
- Fatigue or Excessive Tiredness
- Weight Gain or Inability to Lose Weight
- Obesity
- Excessive Weight Loss
- Cold Extremities
- Swollen Neck or Goiter
- Loss of Stamina
- Afternoon Energy Crash
- Low Morning Temperature
- Edema
- Difficulty Breathing
- Dry and/or Gritty Eyes
- Slow Recovery
- Inability to Exercise
- Trembling, Jittery, or Shivering Feeling
- Hoarse Voice
- Cold Sweats
- Lack of Coordination
- Heavy Eyelids
The list above represents the most common and general symptoms related to Hypothyroidism. Your thyroid is responsible for so much more than increasing your metabolism and helping you to lose weight. It plays an important role in balancing and producing hormones, reducing cholesterol, reducing inflammation within your body, fighting cancer, reducing your risk of autoimmune disease, keeping your brain energized and mentally alert, and slowing the natural aging process. There are many, more specific, symptoms listed below that can also be a sign of Hyporthyroidism.
A Quick Note on Hypothyroidism Testing Flaws, and keep in mind that most thyroid test options are flawed and oftentimes lead to a false negative hypothyroidism diagnosis. And so millions of people go untreated or are improperly treated for various other related symptoms that stem from underlying hypothyroidism. Because of this, I often recommend what is called a therapeutic trial to confirm your own diagnosis. This is where you follow a proper hypothyroidism treatment protocol including the right hypothyroidism diet and monitor your symptoms. If your hypothyroidism symptoms improve then you can confirm that your speculation was correct. Below I’ve listed a very comprehensive set of hypothyroid symptoms that are broken down into categories which shows you just how extensive these symptoms can be.
Sleep Related Hypothyroidism Symptoms:
- Insomnia
- Poor Sleep Quality
- Waking Up Feeling Unrested
- Difficulty Getting Out of Bed in the Morning
- Frequent Nightmares
- Sleep Apnea
- Excessive Snoring
- Night Sweats
Sensory Hypothyroidism Symptoms:
- Inability to Concentrate
- Slowed Reflexes and Reaction Time
- Sensitivity to Light and/or Sun
- Sensitivity to Hot and Cold
- Sensitivity to Strong Odors
- Sensitivity to Loud Noises
- Blurred Vision
Hair, Skin, and Nail Related Hypothyroidism Symptoms:
- Puffiness or Swelling of Eyes, Face, Hands, Feet, and/or Ankles
- Hair Loss
- Brittle Hair
- Loss of Eyelashes
- Loss of Eyebrow Hair (outer portion)
- Brittle, Flaky, or Peeling Nails
- Dry, Flaky, or Course Skin
- Pale and/or Yellowish Skin Pigment
- Dark Circles Under Eyes
- Orange Calluses
- Bruise Easily
- Acne
- Rashes and Various Skin Conditions
Digestive Hypothyroidism Symptoms:
- Loss of Appetite
- Constipation
- Food Allergies and Sensitivities
- Difficulty Swallowing
- Swollen Tongue or Ridges on Tongue
- Dry Mouth
- Alcohol Intolerance
- Hemorrhoids
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Abdominal Distention
- Excessive Gas
- Bad Breath
- Diabetes
- Liver/Gallbladder Issues
- Salt Cravings
- Sweet Cravings
- Hypoglycemia
Heart Related Hypothyroidism Symptoms:
- High Cholesterol
- High Blood Pressure
- Low Blood Pressure
- Slow/Weak Pulse (under 60 bpm)
- Fast Pulse (over 90 bpm at rest)
- Heart Palpitations
- Heart Disease
- Bleeding/Clotting Issues
Immune Related Hypothyroidism Symptoms:
- Recurring Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
- Recurring Upper Respiratory Infections
- Fungal and Candida Infections
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Lupus
- Asthma
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Autoimmune Disease
- Cancer
Mental Hypothyroidism Symptoms:
- Panic attacks
- Poor Memory
- Confusion
- Restlessness
- Mental Sluggishness
- ADD/ADHD
- Slowed Speech
- Difficulty Learning New Things
- Poor Concentration
- Phobias
- Loss of Motivation
- Light Headedness
- Vertigo or Dizziness
- Postpartum Depression
- Epilepsy or Seizures
Emotional Hypothyroidism Symptoms:
- Depression
- Nervousness and Anxiety
- Easily Upset
- Antisocial Behavior
- Mood Swings
Lack of Confidence - Bipolar Tendencies
Pain Related Hypothyroidism Symptoms:
- Migraines
- Pressure Headaches
- Muscle Cramps
- Muscle Spasms
- Back Pain
- Wrist Pain
- Foot Pain
- Arthritis
- Joint Pain or Stiffness
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Tendinitis
Women’s Health Related Hypothyroidism Symptoms:
- PMS
- Irregular, Longer, Lighter, or Heavier Menstrual Cycles
- Severe Menstrual Cramps
- Infertility
- History of Miscarriage
- Fibroids
- Loss of Libido
Men’s Health Related Hypothyroidism Symptoms:
- Loss of Libido
- Erectile Dysfunction
Hopefully all of these symptoms of hypothyroidism have opened your eyes and given you a better understanding of the importance of detecting and properly treating hypothyroidism in order to properly restore and maintain your health. Most people, doctors, and healthcare professionals fail to make this connection and far too often the underlying cause of your health problems is missed or misdiagnosed.
So many of the hypothyroidism symptoms listed above can be both easily avoided or easily eliminated when you learn how to properly restore the function and health of your thyroid. And it always begins with properly educating and empowering yourself to take control of your health.
About the Author
Tom Brimeyer is a functional medicine practitioner, health researcher, and author on nutrition, hormones, and hypothyroidism.
I have virtually every symptom for this and have had for many years, I have a multinodular gouitre and I am sure this is my problem but all the time I get fobbed off and because I have had cancer end up being tested for other things. I wish someone would listen to me, I feel like I am banging my head against a brick wall.
I just visited the doctor’s this week, and she asked me how do I know it is hypothyroidism, and what where the symptoms, this after I gave her my logs, of temps, and AIC. She took a look at my legs, and said the bruise I made on my leg about three years ago was from diabetic issues. I explained to her that this was and old injury and how it was caused. she said you would be surprised how long diabetes can show up. I said diabetes is the symptom of hypothyroidism as per (Dr. Langer book Solved: The Riddle to My low underarm temps have not climbed over 97.6 for about two months now. I too am not able to fine a doctor that actually understands the body, and is willing to work on the Hypothyroidism. Some of the doctor’s are angry, because you know that their prescribed medicines and speculations are not working for you and your body.
Some Research…
“About half of American diets are deficient in selenium. Persons living in areas of the world where the soil is low in selenium have greater incidence of thyroid disease. Glutathione (glutamic acid, cysteine, glycine) is involved in conversion of T4 to T3; selenium increases the availability of glutathione. Deficits of potassium, phosphorus, boron, magnesium, manganese, chromium, and sodium are associated with hypothyroidism. “Nutritional” lithium compounds (inorganic isolates) can contribute to subclinical hypothyroidism”. A lack of vitamin A complex (or other fat-soluble vitamins) reserves can adversely affect thyroid function. An under functioning thyroid can decrease the conversion of carotenes into retinol (vitamin A). Vitamin A and zinc deficits have been reported in patients with increased incidence of goiter formation. Vitamins A complex, B complex (particularly B2, B3, and B6) and associated factors such as PABA (paraminobenzoic acid), E complex, and C complex are all nutrients required by the thyroid. Vitamin A deficiency reduces the thyroid’s ability to take up iodine. Laboratory animals deficient in vitamin E complex have pituitary glands that do not synthesize adequate amounts of TSH. B complex vitamins are essential for efficient transport of oxygen to cells and thus to metabolism.
Calcium and vitamin D complex influence endocrine gland activity. In hypothyroidism, calcium absorption and retention is increased. Serum vitamin D3 metabolites are elevated in hypothyroid patients and reduced in hyperthyroidism. Unsaturated and essential fatty acids play an essential role in thyroid function and its effect on metabolic rate. Essential fatty acids – particularly the omega-3 group and its derivatives – “are like a poker that stokes the fire,” benefiting oxidation and metabolism. Natural, unaltered fats contain substances that balance metabolic rate, some slowing it down and others speeding it up”. Hope this will start a new medical practice toward curing individuals, rather than inducing them into an illness, while continuing the medical treatment for to induce and illnesses into a disease or disorder.
Jean I know your pain. I was actually diagnosed but left for my self last 2 years.
feel like life spread between my fingers and nothing I can do. How can we get in hold of this doctor? :-/
I started having systoms when I was 11. I went from 57lbs to 20 lbs in under a year, I had no apatite and I never felt rested. After I turned 18 I started asking my doctor to test me, they finally did when I was 28 (only after i told them if they didn’t I would draw my own labs and send them in). He said I was boarder line but still with in normal ranges. A few years later I asked to be retested same results but a different doctor put me on medication right away I am 33 now and still get my medicine dose changed at every visit.
I would change doctors if you have tried over and over for them to listen to your needs! You deserve to be listened too! Thanks for all the info! I have Hypothyroidism and take 100 mg of Synthroid but still have major health issues,especially emotionally and digestive issues! So I will head your vitamin supplements.
It means that you get total discounts at the time of subscription. Good providers instead hire highly
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Kay
May 21, 2016
I have had Graves Disease, overactive thyroid. I had radioactive Iodine treatment and now I have an underactive thyroid. I went from one extreme to the other. I am always tired, confused, and never can lose weight. Having radioactive iodine was the worst thing for me. I should have had my thyroid out.
Okay