Jul 10
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Symptoms of an underactive thyroid
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Listed below are symptoms of an underactive thyroid.
- Weight gain. Likely to gain five to ten kilograms, although appetite is normal or even less than usual.
- Sensitivity to cold. Feeling the cold very badly, wanting to put on extra layers of clothes, or sit near the fire. This can be accompanied by muscle stiffness and spasm when moving suddenly.
- Mental problems. Tiredness, sleepiness and slowing down intellectually, lack of concentration, memory is poor and reactions are a lot slower.
- Speech. The voice becomes slow and husky, sounding slurred.
- Heart. Pulse rate is slow at around 60 beats per minute. Also can have high blood pressure, the elderly are more at risk of a heart failure.
- Bowel movements. Usually constipated.
- Menstruation. Periods become heavier.
- Skin and Hair. Skin is likely to be rough. Eyelids, hands and feet swell. Hair becomes dry and brittle, sometimes loss of hair is experienced. Outer eyebrows seem to become thinner, almost disappearing.
- Nervous system. Becoming a little deaf and have trouble with balance.
It’s not all bad news for an underactive thyroid, as after taking thyroxine tablets for a little time, symptoms subside.
