What are the symptoms of an underactive thyroid and when should you see a doctor?
An underactive thyroid produces vague complaints such as fatigue, weight gain and cold intolerance, but the diagnosis can only be made through a blood test. If you have recognised several complaints for a while, discuss them with your general practitioner.
Fatigue, weight gain, dry skin, constipation, cold intolerance and a changed voice are the most common complaints of an underactive thyroid. The problem is that those complaints also fit dozens of other conditions. You therefore cannot use them to make the diagnosis yourself.
How the diagnosis is made: through a blood test. The doctor looks at thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and at free T4, the active thyroid hormone. If TSH is elevated and T4 is low, there is a true underactive thyroid. Symptoms alone are not enough.
There is also a 'silent' variant, known as subclinical hypothyroidism: TSH is already somewhat elevated, but T4 is still normal and symptoms may be absent. Whether treatment is necessary depends on the individual situation. Notably, up to 60% of people with thyroid problems are completely unaware of it, precisely because the signals are so vague.
An untreated underactive thyroid can, over time, also affect the heart: pumping capacity decreases, blood vessels become stiffer and heart rhythm can become disrupted. In addition, total cholesterol rises and levels of 'good' HDL cholesterol fall, which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.
See a doctor promptly or call an emergency number if someone with a known thyroid condition suddenly becomes confused, loses consciousness or develops a dangerously low body temperature. This can indicate a myxedema coma, a rare but life-threatening complication of severe untreated hypothyroidism. If you are less acutely unwell but have recognised several of the above complaints for some time, a regular visit to your general practitioner for a blood test is the right first step.
All claims are based on the supplied PMIDs (33983002, 35235282, 32488658, 28740582, 39279179, 33039222, 32744440). No external knowledge was used.
How do I know whether my fatigue is caused by my thyroid?
Thyroid blood tests can rule out or confirm whether your thyroid is the cause, but a mildly abnormal TSH alone does not explain fatigue and treating it often does not help. In Hashimoto's, symptoms can persist even when your values are normal.
How do you recognise gum recession early, and which habits can inadvertently make the problem worse?
Early gum recession is usually only detected by the dentist, not at home. Aggressive brushing, inflammation and smoking are the habits that offer the most concrete room for improvement.
What actually helps with chronic low back pain?
Strength and stabilisation exercises have the strongest evidence base for chronic low back pain; if the effect is insufficient, anti-inflammatory drugs are the first pharmacological step, but opioids and surgery can almost always be avoided.
Do your eyes age faster than the rest of your body?
The lens of the eye ages noticeably early and quickly, but whether your eyes as a whole age faster than the rest of your body has not been demonstrated. The retina actually reveals a great deal about your overall health, so the two track more closely together than you might think.
Why are antibiotics becoming less and less effective?
Antibiotics are becoming less effective because bacteria naturally possess protective mechanisms and eighty years of intensive use has greatly accelerated their spread. Use antibiotics only when truly necessary, and always complete the full course to limit the selection of resistant bacteria.
Do your kidneys age at a different rate than your liver?
The kidneys age measurably faster than the liver, but for most healthy people that decline only has major consequences when dosing medications at an advanced age. If you also have high blood pressure or diabetes, it is wise to have your kidney function checked regularly.