Hypothyroidism feels like your body is slowing down, causing fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, dry skin, constipation, and brain fog (difficulty concentrating). Other common signs include puffy face, muscle aches, thinning hair, heavy periods, and a slowed heart rate, often developing gradually and sometimes mistaken for aging.
Symptoms of an underactive thyroid
Early signs of thyroid problems often involve energy, temperature, and body changes, such as unexplained weight changes, fatigue, mood shifts (anxiety/depression), skin/hair issues (dryness, thinning), and altered heart rate or bowel habits, with hypothyroidism causing slow-down (cold, constipation, weight gain) and hyperthyroidism causing speeding up (heat, anxiety, weight loss, fast heart rate).
There are many reasons for experiencing tiredness and fatigue. In people living with an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), the body's metabolism slows down. This can often lead to many symptoms, including lethargy and fatigue.
The primary symptoms of hypothyroidism include fatigue, tiredness, dizziness, lightheadedness, weight changes, hypertension, electrolyte imbalances, and labyrinthitis.
For thyroid health, the "one thing" to focus on daily is a source of iodine, found in dairy, eggs, or seafood, and selenium, best from a few Brazil nuts, both crucial for hormone production, but a balanced breakfast with protein, fiber, and healthy fats, like eggs with spinach or oatmeal with berries, provides comprehensive support, while avoiding excessive iodine or simple sugars is key.
These symptoms often resolve on thyroid hormone replacement therapy and return of the FT4 and TSH back to the normal range. One particular symptom that patients often report is brain fog, which is described as a group of symptoms including low energy, forgetfulness, sleepiness and difficulty focusing.
People with hypothyroidism should be careful about eating large amounts of cruciferous veggies. Particularly when raw. Eating a lot of raw cruciferous vegetables can keep your body from using iodine properly to make the thyroid hormone and stifle your thyroid's natural function.
Contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible if you notice these common symptoms of hypothyroidism:
Hyperthyroidism (overactive) can cause difficulty sleeping. View Source due to arousals from nervousness or irritability, as well as muscle weakness and constant feelings of tiredness. An overactive thyroid may also lead to night sweats and frequent urges to urinate, both of which can disrupt sleep.
Those symptoms most commonly related to thyroid deficiency include forgetfulness, fatigue, mental slowness, inattention, and emotional lability. The predominant affective disorder experienced is depression. Perceptual changes may develop with alterations of taste, hearing, and vision.
On the other hand, it is important to remember that some berries and citrus fruits like strawberries and peaches contain goitrogens. Since it can interfere with the thyroid glands' iodine uptake, eating these fruits of a larger quality can lead to hyperthyroidism.
As you swallow, look at your neck. Check for any bulges or protrusions in this area when you swallow. Reminder: Don't confuse the Adam's apple with the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is located further down on your neck, closer to the collarbone.
The most common cause of hypothyroidism is an autoimmune disease called Hashimoto's disease. Autoimmune diseases happen when the immune system makes antibodies that attack healthy tissues.
THYROID BELLY - CAUSED BY EXCESS OESTROGENS An increased production of oestrogen hormones seems to favour the accumulation of belly around the waistline and on the belly, causing the so-called Thyroid belly.
Thyroid problems (hypo- or hyperthyroidism) show up as changes in energy, weight, mood, and body temperature, with common signs including fatigue, unexplained weight changes, anxiety/depression, feeling too hot or cold, hair loss, skin/nail issues, heart rate changes, and neck swelling (goiter), affecting metabolism and overall bodily function. Symptoms vary but often manifest as a slowed-down body (hypothyroidism) or an over-sped-up one (hyperthyroidism).
In conclusion, both low and high thyroid function are associated with alterations in Global gait, Tandem, Base of support and velocity. Gait is an important marker of general health.
Sample one-day thyroid-friendly drink routine
On waking: 1 large glass of warm water. Take your thyroid medication with plain water only, as prescribed. 30–60 minutes later: Black coffee or green tea, plus a protein-rich breakfast. This supports energy and helps reduce mid-morning cravings.
Common symptoms
Biotin (vitamin B7)
We recommend you be aware that these mega doses of biotin can sometimes result in incorrect TSH, FT4 and FT3 levels and may give a reading that suggests an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).
Foods that may negatively impact your thyroid health
Goitrogens are found in cruciferous veggies like cabbage, cauliflower, bok choy, broccoli and soy. It is possible for goitrogens to impact thyroid health when eaten raw and in extremely large amounts and/or in those with an iodine deficiency.
Coffee – Caffeine can block absorption of thyroid hormone replacements. Coffee also has the ability to interfere with the natural thyroid hormone T4 that is absorbed through the stomach.
Increased perspiration caused by the condition can lead to night sweats, waking the patient during the night. While hypothyroidism is commonly associated with lethargy and a desire for sleep, studies have linked an underactive thyroid to poor sleep quality, shorter sleep duration, and longer sleep onset.
Early signs of hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) are often subtle and gradual, including fatigue, weight gain, increased sensitivity to cold, dry skin, constipation, thinning hair, and a puffy face, often dismissed as normal aging, but can also involve muscle aches, depression, and irregular periods, requiring a doctor's blood test for diagnosis as symptoms progress slowly over time.
Vitamin B12: The Energy Booster
Vitamin B deficiency can mimic or compound thyroid symptoms, including fatigue, brain fog, weakness, and numbness. Supplementing with B12, either through oral tablets or intramuscular injections, can help improve thyroid symptoms and support overall vitality.