Ten Symptoms of Low Thyroid
Your thyroid is a small gland in your neck that controls how your body uses energy. When it doesn’t make enough hormones, you may have hypothyroidism, or low thyroid. This can cause many symptoms that affect your body and mind. Let’s look at 10 common signs of a low thyroid and what they mean.
1. Tiredness
Feeling tired all the time is one of the most common symptoms. Without enough thyroid hormones, your body slows down, leaving you low on energy.
2. Weight Gain
Gaining weight without eating more or changing your routine could be a sign of low thyroid. Your metabolism slows down, making it harder to burn calories.
3. Feeling Cold
Do you feel chilly even when others don’t? Low thyroid can make it harder for your body to regulate temperature.
4. Hair Loss
Thinning hair, especially on your scalp or eyebrows, can happen when your thyroid isn’t supporting healthy hair growth.
5. Dry Skin
Your skin may become rough, flaky, or dry because low thyroid slows down your body’s ability to keep skin hydrated.
6. Mood Changes
Feeling sad, anxious, or irritable could be linked to your thyroid. These hormones affect your brain, so an imbalance can impact your emotions.
7. Forgetfulness or Brain Fog
If you’re having trouble concentrating or remembering things, low thyroid might be to blame. Your brain needs thyroid hormones to stay sharp.
8. Slow Digestion
Low thyroid can slow down your digestive system, leading to constipation or stomach discomfort.
9. Weak Muscles
Muscle weakness or cramps may occur because your body doesn’t have enough energy to support your muscles properly.
10. Swelling in the Neck
A swollen thyroid gland, called a goiter, can appear if your thyroid is struggling to work.
What to Do
If you notice these symptoms, talk to your doctor. A comprehensive blood test is the best way to go. When you work with a functional wellness practitioner, they will dig deep to find the root cause of why you feel the way you do. With the right, thorough care, you can get your thyroid back on track and you can start feeling better again.