Hypothyroidism history and symptoms

Hypothyroidism Main page
Patient Information
Overview
Classification Primary hypothyroidism Hashimoto's thyroiditis Secondary hypothyroidism Tertiary hypothyroidism
Differentiating different causes of hypothyroidism
Screening
Diagnosis
History and symptoms

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

The ability of Hypothyroidism to mimic a number of medical conditions originates in the vast functions of the thyroid hormones, which are reduced or absent in this case. The functions of thyroid hormones include modulation of carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism, vitamin utilization, mitochondrial function, digestive process, muscle and nerve activity, blood flow, oxygen utilization, hormone secretion and sexual and reproductive health to mention a few. Thus, when the thyroid hormone content gets out of balance, systems covering the whole body are affected, and that's why hypothyroidism can look like other diseases. Conversely, sometimes other conditions can be mistaken for hypothyroidism.

Common Symptoms

• Bradycardia
• muscle hypotonia and weakness
• Muscle cramps
• Fatigue
• Cold intolerance, increased sensitivity to cold
• Constipation
• Weight gain
• Decreased libido
• Periorbital oedema
• joint pain
• Paleness

Less common symptoms

• Menstrual disturbance
• Galactorrhoea

• Thin, Brittle fingernails
• Thin, brittle hair
• Hoarseness
• Goitre
• Impaired memory
• Slowed mental processing and impaired cognitive function (brain fog) and inattentiveness
• Depression
• anxiety/panic attacks
• difficulty swallowing
• Acute psychosis (myxedema madness) is a rare presentation of hypothyroidism
• Decreased sense of taste and smell (late, less common symptoms)
• Puffy face, hands and feet (late, less common symptoms)

Pediatric

Hypothyroidism in pediatric patients can cause the following additional symptoms:

• short stature
• mental retardation if present at birth, and untreated.
• Growth failure

Severity

The severity of hypothyroidism varies widely. Some have few overt symptoms, others with moderate symptoms can be mistaken for having other diseases and states. Advanced hypothyroidism may cause severe complications including cardiovasular and psychiatric myxedema.