The Effects Of Hypothyroidism On Your Body
Hypothyroidism is when the thyroid is under-active and the most common thyroid disorder. When thyroid hormone production drops, your body's processes slow down and change. Hypothyroidism can affect many different systems in your body. Here are some of them:
Menstrual changes
Women with hypothyroidism may have irregular periods and changes in menstrual flow. Fertility can be affected too, making it harder to get pregnant
Mental health issues
Low thyroid hormone levels can contribute to depression and sadness
Jaundice
Infant born with Hypothyroidism may have jaundice, the yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes
Dry skin
Low thyroid hormone levels directly affect the skin. This can cause a variety of changes, including dryness, thickening, and scaling
Weakness
Low thyroid hormone production can leave your muscles weak, achy or stiff
Heartburn
Hypothyroidism slows digestion. This can lead to heartburn and other gastrointestinal issues
Stomach bloating
A lack of thyroid hormone slows the movement of food through your digestive tract, which can leave your belly bloated
Slow metabolism
Too little thyroid hormone sows the body's metabolism, which can lead to weight gain
High blood pressure
Low Thyroid hormones levels can increase blood pressure through interactions with the blood vessels and circulatory system
Eyebrow thinning
Hypothyroidism can make you lose eyebrow hair. The hair loss usually starts at the outer edges of your brows
Brain fog
Hypothyroidism can affect your memory and your ability to think clearly. This mental fuzziness is sometimes called "brain fog"
Constipations
slowed movement of food through your intestines can back up stool, making you constipated
Gallstones
Hypothyroidism may increase your risk of gallstones, hard pieces made up of substances like cholesterol or bile that form in your gallbladder
Heart attack risk
Hypothyroidism may increase cholesterol levels and narrow arteries. This could contribute to an increased risk of heart attack.
Goiter
A goiter is an abnormally enlarged thyroid gland that can happen in people with diseases like Hashimoto thyroiditis
Peripheral neuropathy
hypothyroidism that isn't treated can interfere with how the nerves send signals to and from your brain, spinal cord, and body
Thinning hair
The effects of hypothyroidism can cause you to lose hair on your scalp, face and body
Menstrual changes
Women with hypothyroidism may have irregular periods and changes in menstrual flow. Fertility can be affected too, making it harder to get pregnant
Constipations
slowed movement of food through your intestines can back up stool, making you constipated
Gallstones
Hypothyroidism may increase your risk of gallstones, hard pieces made up of substances like cholesterol or bile that form in your gallbladder
Heart attack risk
Hypothyroidism may increase cholesterol levels and narrow arteries. This could contribute to an increased risk of heart attack.
Goiter
A goiter is an abnormally enlarged thyroid gland that can happen in people with diseases like Hashimoto thyroiditis.
Peripheral neuropathy
hypothyroidism that isn't treated can interfere with how the nerves send signals to and from your brain, spinal cord, and body.
Thinning hair
The effects of hypothyroidism can cause you to lose hair on your scalp, face and body
Brain Fog
Hypothyroidism can affect your memory and your ability to think clearly. This mental fuzziness is sometimes called "brain fog"
Weakness
Low thyroid hormone production can leave your muscles weak, achy or stiff
Dry skin
Low thyroid hormone levels directly affect the skin. This can cause a variety of changes, including dryness, thickening, and scaling
Heartburn
Hypothyroidism slows digestion. This can lead to heartburn and other gastrointestinal issues
Stomach bloating
A lack of thyroid hormone slows the movement of food through your digestive tract, which can leave your belly bloated
Slow Metabolism
Too little thyroid hormone sows the body's metabolism, which can lead to weight gain
High blood pressure
Low Thyroid hormones levels can increase blood pressur through interactions with the blood vessels and circulatory system
Jaundice
Infant born with Hypothyroidism may have jaundice, ht eyellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes
Eyebrow thinning
Hypothyroidism can make you lose eyebrow hair. The hair loss usually starts at the outer edges of your brows.
Mental health issues
Low thyroid hormone levels can contribute to depression and sadness
Check how many symptoms you have and how likely you are to have hypothyroidism
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Resources to learn more
Learn How to Do a Thyroid Neck Check
An at-home self-exam can help you find thyroid lumps or enlargements on your own thyroid gland
Learn more
The Starter Guide To Thyroid Health
Download this free guide to learn about the science of hypothyroidism and the first steps to managing your thyroid health.
Download
Learn more about hypothyroidism
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