Symptoms of Hypothyroidism

Symptoms of hypothyroidism begin slowly over weeks or months. You may have hypothyroidism for a long time before you realize you are ill. Symptoms change with the degree of the hypothyroidism and how long your body has not had the proper amount of thyroid hormone.

You may have only one of these symptoms, but usually patients have a combination. Some patients with hypothyroidism do not have symptoms or have mild symptoms that go unnoticed for a long period of time.

Symptoms include:

Enlarged thyroid gland, called goiter (not always present)
Fullness in the neck
Difficulty swallowing or trouble breathing (can happen if the goiter is very large)

Goiter (Enlargement of the Thyroid Gland)

Other symptoms or signs include:

Fatigue
Weakness
Coarse, brittle hair and hair loss
Dry, scaly skin
Unable to tolerate cold temperatures
Weight gain (may happen despite having a poor appetite)
Constipation
Achy feeling all over
Depression and irritability
Memory loss and personality change
Irregular or heavy menstrual periods
Facial puffiness
Swollen feet or hands
Infertility
Reduced sweating

Symptoms of severe or extended cases include:

Swelling of the skin and tissue around the eyes
Slow heart rate
Hypothermia (low body temperature)
Shortness of breath during activity or when lying flat
Drowsiness and lower mental alertness

References

Hypothyroidism. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed . Updated November 19, 2012. Accessed November 20, 2012.

Hypothyroidism. EmPower website. Available at: http://empoweryourhealth.org/hypothyroidism . Accessed November 20, 2012.

Hypothyroidism. National Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Information Service website. Available at: http://endocrine.niddk.nih.gov/pubs/Hypothyroidism/ . Updated February 27, 2012. Accessed November 20, 2012.

Singer P, Cooper D, Levy E, et al. Treatment guidelines for patients with hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. JAMA . 1995;273:808-812.

Wartofsky L. Myxedema coma. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. 2006;35:687-98.

Revision Information

Reviewer: Brian Randall, MD
Review Date: 03/2013
Update Date: 00/31/2013

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.