An underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) can become a serious concern as regards your ongoing mental and physical health. Many people suffer with the problem, but it can be a problem that worsens over time due to the fact that the symptoms are not simple to diagnose. Many of the symptoms for hypothyroidism are the same as those found in other conditions, so it can be challenging to make an accurate diagnosis.
This issue is made more complicated because the symptoms of hypothyroidism can develop very slowly, over years sometimes, meaning that they may not present for some time. If you are experiencing the following symptoms, it may be worth contacting your physician for a discussion, to see whether or not you should be concerned about hypothyroidism.
- Heightened sensitivity to the cold. This is a common symptom for a number of conditions, so it is well worth monitoring the situation before you contact your doctor. It is especially true for older people, for example, that sensitivity to cold is an accepted part of day-to-day life
- Another area of concern is weight gain. This again can be part of the symptoms for a wide range of conditions. For example, someone with diabetes or someone with excessive stress in their life could find themselves experiencing weight gain. However, relatively quick weight gain could point to something worrying, and it is worth alerting your doctor
- Tiredness is another symptom of underactive thyroid. Again, this is a common symptom for a number of medical conditions, and it is worth monitoring your situation carefully. Stress and, perhaps obviously, a lack of sleep, can cause excessive tiredness
- You can also experience muscle cramps as a symptom of hypothyroidism. However, muscle cramps can present as part of other illnesses and conditions. There could be a low level of calcium in your system, or you could be lacking potassium and magnesium. In addition to this, muscle cramps could arise from issues with your kidneys
As you can see, a diagnosis of hypothyroidism is not as straightforward as one might think. It is always best to see a doctor as soon as possible if you have a number of symptoms associated with the condition. The following symptoms are also linked to an underactive thyroid gland:
- Depression
- Tiredness
- Constipation
- Muscle aches
- Lethargy
- Dry skin
- Brittle hair and nails
- Heavy periods or irregular periods
What to do
If a number of these symptoms present themselves it is sensible to go and visit your doctor. Keep a record of the symptoms and when and how they present, and this will make it easier for your doctor to make a more accurate diagnosis. You may find that they prescribe certain medications to help. There are a number of places where you can buy the medication, such as this one here http://internationalpharmacy.com/products/Cytomel-tabs-liothyronine.
The symptoms can present over a long period of time, so it may be a situation where you experience many of the above symptoms over months or even years. Again, this is why you should endeavour to maintain a record of the symptoms so that you can provide as accurate a picture as possible to your doctor. This will mean that you get help as soon as possible.
