Symptoms of Hypothyroidism

by Cynthia M. Johnson, MA

Problems vary from person to person. It depends on the level of hormone change. It often happens slowly over a number of years. A person may not notice they are having problems at first. They may also think the problems are caused by something else, such as stress.

People may have one or more of these symptoms:

Being very tired
Feeling weak
Coarse, brittle hair, or hair loss
Facial puffiness
Dry skin
Swollen hands or feet
Being very cold
Weight gain
Problems passing stool
An achy feeling all over
Irritability
Memory loss
Problems with focus
Blurred vision
Menstrual problems or problems getting pregnant in women

Goiter

Severe problems may be:

Shortness of breath during activity or when lying flat
Hypothermia—very low body temperature
Bradycardia—a slow heart rate

References:

Chaker L, Bianco AC, et al. Hypothyroidism. Lancet. 2017 Sep 23;390(10101):1550-1562.

Hypothyroidism in adults. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/hypothyroidism-in-adults. Accessed February 10, 2021.

Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website. Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/endocrine-diseases/hypothyroidism. Accessed February 10, 2021.

Last reviewed December 2020 by EBSCO Medical Review Board James P. Cornell, MD
Last Updated: 2/10/2021

EBSCO Information Services is fully accredited by URAC. URAC is an independent, nonprofit health care accrediting organization dedicated to promoting health care quality through accreditation, certification and commendation.

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.

To send comments or feedback to our Editorial Team regarding the content please email us at healthlibrarysupport@ebsco.com. Our Health Library Support team will respond to your email request within 2 business days.