Hypothyroidism usually manifests itself gradually over a period of years with the progressive and insidious development of one or several of the following symptoms:
- Fatigue
- Weight Gain
- Cold Extremities and cold intolerance
- Decreased mental sharpness (brain fog)
- Slow speech
- Depression or mood swings
- Dry skin
- Hair loss
- Sluggish bowel function
- Fluid retention
- Headaches
- Muscle pain (fibromyalgia)
- Joint pain
- Tiredness after a full night’s sleep
- Tingling and/or numbness in extremities
- Hoarseness
- Irregular menstrual cycles
- Miscarriages
- Infertility
- Recurrent yeast vaginitis
- Allergic disorders
- Recurrent infections
- Decreased sweating
The following are physical signs of hypothyroidism:
- The three P’s: pallor, pastiness, puffiness
- Enlarged tongue with teeth indentations
- Loss of hair on the lateral third of the eyebrows
- Decreased body hair
- Thinning hair
- Cold extremities & cold skin
- Dry skin
- Brittle fingernails with ridging
- Low blood pressure
- Slow pulse rate
- Low basal body temperature
- Enlarged thyroid gland
- Elevated cholesterol and triglycerides