Doctor Explains: 15 Signs Of Hypothyroidism

Dr. Siobhan Deshauer explains the signs (and in some cases, symptoms) that can point to this oft-underdiagnosed condition:

Watch out for these

We’ll not keep them a secret, the signs/symptoms are…

1. Goiter: enlarged thyroid gland, visible in the neck and may cause difficulty swallowing or breathing.
2. Dry skin: due to reduced production of skin oils, leading to rough, cracked skin.
3. Asteatotic eczema: cracked, mosaic-like dry skin often called “crazy paving.”
4. Palmoplantar keratoderma: thickening and buildup of skin on hands and feet due to improper shedding.
5. Hair thinning: hair becomes dull, brittle, and sheds excessively, including scalp, eyebrows, and body hair.
6. Brittle or thickened nails: poor quality nail growth, vertical ridges, and nails prone to splitting or lifting.
7. Queen Anne’s sign: loss of the outer third of the eyebrows.
8. Myxedema: swelling, especially around the eyes, hands, and feet, caused by buildup of gelatinous material in the skin.
9. Obstructive sleep apnea: enlarged tongue due to myxedema can block the airway during sleep.
10. Carpal tunnel syndrome: swelling compresses the median nerve, causing numbness and tingling in the hands.
11. Facial palsy: rare nerve compression causing one-sided facial droop.
12. Cold intolerance: feeling unusually cold due to slowed metabolism.
13. Myxedema coma: a severe, life-threatening form of hypothyroidism causing confusion, low body temperature, and organ shutdown. This may seem a strange (and rather severe) one to sandwich in between “feeling a bit cold” and “skin discoloration”, but we’re just reporting on what’s in the video!
14. Carotenemia: yellow-orange discoloration of the skin, especially palms and soles, due to impaired conversion of beta-carotene.
15. Depression: reduced neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, leading to mood changes and mental fog.
16. Menstrual changes: heavier, longer, or irregular periods caused by hormonal imbalance.
17. Chronic fatigue: constant tiredness and low energy.
18. Constipation: slowed digestion due to decreased metabolism.
19. Unexplained weight gain: often mild to moderate, caused by a slower metabolic rate.

For more on each of these plus visual illustrations where appropriate, enjoy:

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Want to learn more?

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Take care!