04:01 p
Sunday, November 13, 2022
Hypothyroidism is a chronic condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones to meet your body’s needs.
Symptoms range from lack of energy to weight gain, although it is important to stress that these specific symptoms may also relate to a range of different health issues or are just a sign that you need more good rest, according to Live Science. .
How do you know that the thyroid gland causes you health problems?
Thyroid hormones are directly responsible for how the body uses and stores energy. And when levels are low, your metabolism slows, affecting almost every organ in your body. This might be caused by anything: from thyroid damage to autoimmune disorders and lifestyle factors.
If you think you may be showing signs of an underactive thyroid gland, seek help from a medical professional who can provide the correct diagnosis.
Fighting to lose weight
There are many reasons why you may struggle with weight loss. You may not be exercising enough or you may be eating too many calories. Perhaps you suffer from a lack of sleep or some of the medications you take interfere with your metabolism.
If your suffering is difficult to explain, hypothyroidism will need to be ruled out. The problem of maintaining weight is one of the most common signs of hypothyroidism, and there are obvious reasons for this.
As mentioned earlier, thyroid hormones regulate how the body uses and stores energy. According to a physiological review, low levels of thyroid hormones are associated with a sluggish metabolism, which reduces resting energy expenditure (the number of calories burned at rest) and this can lead to weight gain.
Thyroid hormones also help regulate your appetite, according to a study published in the Journal of Thyroid Research, so an underactive thyroid may cause you to feel hungrier, even if you don’t need to eat more.
Tired all the time
Fatigue is a very broad symptom that may indicate many different health problems. Fatigue can be a direct result of chronic stress, lack of sleep, certain medications, and physical exertion, and rest usually helps you rejuvenate.
However, if your tiredness has no reasonable explanation, and if a good night’s sleep doesn’t make a huge difference to your energy levels, it might be a sign of hormonal issues.
In fact, fatigue is one of the primary signs of hypothyroidism. In a study published in the European Journal of Endocrinology, fatigue was reported as a symptom in 52% of adult patients and 31% of pediatric patients.
As mentioned earlier, thyroid hormones are directly responsible for energy metabolism. As your metabolism decreases, your body will try to conserve as much energy as possible.
Cold intolerance
Have you been more sensitive to cold temperatures lately? Having trouble tolerating cold is another sign of an underactive thyroid.
When your thyroid hormones don’t work as well as they should and your metabolism slows, your ability to keep warm also decreases. According to a study in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, regarding 40 percent of people with hypothyroidism feel more sensitive to cold than they did before.
Your muscles and joints ache
Muscles and joints ache for various reasons. According to an article in the American Family Physician, muscle problems can be due to a combination of infectious, neurological, inflammatory, rheumatic, genetic, metabolic, electrolyte- or drug-induced causes. But if everything seems to be in perfect order, yet you find yourself experiencing aches and pains, you may need to have your thyroid hormones checked.
People with hypothyroidism experience a change in metabolism that is more catabolic rather than constructive. Catabolism is a state of breaking down muscle tissue for energy, while anabolics help you gain muscle. As thyroid hormone levels drop, muscle mass and strength may decrease, leading to pain and weakness.
Dry skin and thinning hair
Dry skin and thinning or dry hair is another sign of hypothyroidism. And just like in any other cells in the body, the growth and metabolism of hair follicles and skin cells are regulated by thyroid hormones.
A study published in the International Journal of Trichology reported differential levels of hypothyroidism in different types of alopecia, and also showed that the prevalence of hypothyroidism in alopecia patients increases with age.
Likewise, when skin cells are not renewed frequently enough, dead skin cells do not fall off as they normally would. A buildup of damaged skin can lead to flaking and dryness.
Heavy or irregular menstrual periods
Changes in the menstrual cycle can occur for many different reasons. While some may be relatively harmless and related to lifestyle factors such as stress, diet, travel, or changes in body weight, others indicate serious health problems.
In fact, heavy and/or irregular menstrual periods are one of the signs of hypothyroidism. This is because thyroid hormones are linked to the function of the reproductive system.
The complex interaction of different hormones helps to regulate the menstrual cycle and to ensure that the ovaries and uterus are working properly. According to a review published in the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, women with hypothyroidism tend to have more and more irregular menstrual periods.
Depression
One of the less obvious signs of an underactive thyroid gland is depression.
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