In America, it is estimated that around 20 million people have some type of thyroid disorder.
Recently, you may have had weird symptoms that showed up with no obvious cause.
Are you wondering why you can’t lose any weight? Or wondering why you’re always tired? You may have hypothyroidism.
We have provided a hypothyroidism checklist to help you find out.
What is Hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism is a disorder of your thyroid, which is the gland in your neck that produces essential hormones. Hypothyroidism is where your thyroid isn’t active enough, whereas hyperthyroidism is where it acts up too much.
When you have hypothyroidism, however, that means that you aren’t getting enough of the hormones you need to function normally.
You may not notice the symptoms at first, but if the condition is left untreated, you could experience more serious symptoms.
There are different tests to see if you have hypothyroidism, and the condition is normally treatable.
Common Causes
Hypothyroidism can affect many people. However, there are different reasons why some people may experience it and some may not.
Family History
If your family has had a history of a thyroid disorder, then you may have a higher chance of getting it as well.
While this is true, genetics is not the only thing that determines if you will get hypothyroidism or not. While it is not the only determining factor, there is a history of genetics directly linked to the disorder.
This is why it’s important to you know your family medical history.
Autoimmune Disease
One of the most common causes of hypothyroidism is an autoimmune disorder. These happen when your immune system starts making antibodies that attack your own body rather than germs.
Sometimes it can even start attacking your thyroid. Researchers aren’t exactly sure why this is happening, but it could be linked to your genes or environmental triggers.
Medications
Some of the side effects of medications can even contribute to developing hypothyroidism.
Lithium, a medication used to treat psychiatric disorders, could be linked to this disorder.
If you are taking any kind of medication, you should ask your doctor if it has any effect on your thyroid gland.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy could even be a cause for hypothyroidism. Having hypothyroidism and not realizing it can also lead to future miscarriages and problems with delivery.
Having this disorder without treating it could also affect the developing child.
Iodine Deficiency
We don’t have this problem as much in the United States, but not getting enough iodine could also cause the disorder.
In the U.S., iodine has been added to table salt which has pretty much gotten rid of the problem here. However, around the world, it is more common.
Common Symptoms
Everyone might experience different symptoms when they have hypothyroidism. However, here is a good hypothyroidism checklist to start.
Hair Loss/Skin Issues
This is one of the visible changes you may start to notice if you have an issue with your thyroid.
Your hair may start falling out and feeling thinner in some spots. It may not even be just the hair on your head; you could even start losing some hair in your eyebrows, arms, or legs.
Your skin may start to become more dry and scratchy or more oily, which can produce more acne. Skin problems are one of the most common problems.
Change in Weight
Everyone’s weight changes, but if you notice a dramatic change, hypothyroidism could be the cause.
Hypothyroidism affects rapid weight gain without any other good cause. If you have lost a lot of weight, you may have hyperthyroidism.
Menstrual Problems
If you are a woman who thinks they have a thyroid problem, you may start to notice changes in your period cycle.
Hypothyroidism could make you have more blood flow in your cycle and also make it longer. This doesn’t happen to every woman, but if you notice it along with other symptoms, you should take note of it.
Mental Illness
Having mood changes with no explanation is also a common symptom.
If you notice feelings of anxiety or depression that seemingly come out of nowhere, this may be thyroid-related.
This disorder causes the serotonin levels in your brain to start to lower which can increase the chance of depression.
Anxiety can also happen when your body is working overtime, and you feel restless and don’t have much energy. Hypothyroidism can also actually start to slow down the synapses in your brain, which can cause you to feel slow and foggy.
Sleep Problems
You may also have problems with sleeping. Most people with hypothyroidism normally feel tired and sluggish, even after getting a good night’s rest.
They may also have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep, which may contribute to their tiredness.
When people have a lot going on, they may feel tired all of the time anyway. However, if you experience this along with some of these other symptoms, you may want to visit your doctor.
Abnormal Blood Pressure
The hormone that the thyroid produces is in charge of how fast or slow the heart beats.
But when your thyroid isn’t working enough, your heart rate may be lower than normal, which can affect your other organs and your day-to-day function.
Changing Temperature
If you are always feeling cold, this may be a sign that you are having problems with hypothyroidism.
Because you have a lower circulation of blood in your body, you can feel extremely cold even when it’s hot outside or no one else feels cold.
Use This Hypothyroidism Checklist and Get Tested
This is a good hypothyroidism checklist to see if you may have an issue with your thyroid. However, you should still get tested to see if you actually have the disorder.
You can schedule an appointment with us today to see if you actually have hypothyroidism.
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