15 Common Signs and Symptoms of Hypothyroidism
There are an estimated 20 million Americans who have some form of thyroid disease and approximately 12 million of them are unaware of their condition. Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland doesn't produce enough of the thyroid hormone—the very same hormone that controls and affects just about every single cell in the body.
Hypothyroidism affects women five to eight times more than men and occurs primarily in women over the age of 50. Other contributing factors for thyroid issues can be a family history of thyroid disease or any other autoimmune disease, type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and/or celiac disease.
Although there are several treatments available, if hypothyroidism goes untreated for too long, it can cause many problems with cardiovascular health, kidney function, the nervous system, and pregnancy. We've taken the liberty of doing the research for you and identified 15 symptoms and signs of hypothyroidism to help you determine if you have it.
Disclaimer: As always, please consult a physician for actual diagnosis.
Dry Skin
Hypothyroidism lowers your body's metabolism rate. When the metabolism slows down, it reduces sweating which in turn dries out the skin and causes the fingernails to become dry and brittle.
