6 Signs That You Might Have Hypothyroidism

Your thyroid gland is a small butterfly-shaped one sitting at the front of your neck. It secretes the hormone thyroxine, which helps your body regulate and use energy. Hypothyroidism aka underactive thyroid is an endocrine disorder in which your thyroid gland doesn’t secrete enough of the thyroid hormone.

Here are a few important signs that indicate you have hypothyroidism:

1. Hair Loss

Your hair follicles are regulated by thyroxine and an under-secretion of it can make them stop regenerating and cause hair loss. You can treat hair fall issues when your thyroid problem is managed.

2. Unexpected weight gain

Weight gain without any reason can be a sign of hypothyroidism. Individuals with low-thyroid move less and thereby their muscles and fat tissues hold on to a lot of calories, resulting in weight gain.

3. Low energy levels

Feeling exhausted more often can indicate an underactive thyroid. This is one of the most common hypothyroidism symptoms. You might also feel jittery, sleepy, or nervous with hypothyroidism. This is because the thyroid hormone gets signals from the brain and coordinates cells to change their functions and is like a gas pedal for energy and metabolism. The reduction in the amount of the hormone can thereby lower energy levels and make you feel tired.

4. Feeling cold

The thyroid hormone turns up the thermostat on the fat tissues that generate heat in your body. Low levels of thyroxine can make you feel colder than those around you. If there’s a decrease in your basal metabolic rate and the amount of heat you generate, it could be a sign of hypothyroidism.

5. Dry & itchy skin

Just like your hair follicles, your skin cells need rapid turnover and they also keep getting signals from your thyroid hormones. When your thyroid hormone levels are low, the outer layer of your skin gets damaged and can lead to dry and flaky skin. Studies have also found that about 74 percent of hypothyroid patients reported dry skin.

6. Anxiety & depression

Feeling anxious or depressed can be a sign of an underactive thyroid. Though the reason is unclear, it could be a mental symptom of an overall decrease in energy levels and general wellness. Studies have reported that a majority of individuals with hypothyroidism have felt depressed and anxious.