Signs and Symptoms of Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroid signs and symptoms are numerous and vary from person to person, depending on the severity of the hormone deficiency. They may develop slowly over a long period.

At first, you may not notice hypothyroid signs and symptoms or you may simply blame them on getting old. As your metabolism slows, you may develop more of them.

Download a tick-box version of hypothyroid signs and symptoms.

Compare hypothyroid and hyperthyroid signs and symptoms.

Physical hypothyroid signs and symptoms

General

• • Fatigue

• • Weight gain

• • High cholesterol

• • Cold extremities

• • Slow movements

• • Slowed Achilles reflex

• • Slow speech

• • Pins & needles

• • Breathlessness

• • Palpitations

• • Liver tenderness and enlargement

• • Anaemia

• • Repeated urinary tract infections

• • Albuminuria (protein in urine)

• • Lack of co-ordination – especially of hands and feet

• • Upper respiratory tract infections

• • Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

• • Poor response to treatments

• • Candida

• • Heavy eyelids

• • Hoarse voice

• • Goitre (enlargement of the thyroid gland)

• • Muscle cramps and weakness

• • Joint stiffness

• • Heat/cold intolerance

• • Diminished sweating

• • Hypoglycaemia

• • ADHD

• • Vertigo

• • Balance problems

• • Dizziness

Digestive Problems

• • Alcohol intolerance

• • Constipation

• • Haemorrhoids

• • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

• • Abdominal distension/flatulence

Hair

• • Body hair loss

• • Head hair loss

• • Brittle hair

• • Eyebrow loss (outer third)

• • Eyelash loss

Skin

• • Dry

• • Flaky

• • Coarse patches

• • Pallor (yellow tinge to skin)

• • Boils and spots

• • Eczema

• • Psoriasis

• • Bruising

Nose, Mouth & Throat

• • Difficulty swallowing

• • Sore throats

• • Swollen tongue

• • Scalloped tongue

• • Choking fits

• • Dry mouth

• • Halitosis

• • Sensation of lump in throat

• • Post-nasal drip (PND)

Menstrual Disorders

• • Cessation of periods (amenorrhoea)

• • Scanty periods (oligomenorrhoea)

• • Heavy periods (menorrhagia)

• • Infertility

• • PMS (premenstrual syndrome)

Visual Disturbances

• • Poor focusing

• • Double vision

• • Dry/gritty eyes

• • Blurred vision

Numbness in

• • Legs

• • Toes

• • Arms

• • Fingers

• • Back

Puffiness of

• • Eyes

• • Face

• • Hands

• • Feet

• • Ankles

Hearing Problems

• • Noises in ears (hissing)

• • Deafness

• • Tinnitus

Blood Pressure & Pulse

• • High blood pressure

• • Slow/weak pulse

Nails

• • Brittleness

• • Flaking

Pain

• • Migraines

• • Pressure headaches

• • Back and loin pain

• • Wrist pain

• • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

• • Foot pain

• • Burning Feet Syndrome

Non-Physical hypothyroid signs and symptoms

• • Panic attacks

• • Memory loss & confusion

• • Mental sluggishness

• • Poor concentration

• • Noises and voices in the head

• • Phobias

• • Loss of drive

• • Postnatal depression

• • Nightmares

• • Insomnia

• • Easily upset

• • Wanting to be solitary

• • Mood changes

• • Depression

• • Nervousness

• • Anxiety

• • Personality changes

• • Feelings of resentment

• • Lack of confidence

• • Loss of Libido

For more information about hypothyroidism click here

 

Date updated: 17.08.21 (V1.4)
Review date: 13.06.22