What is an underactive thyroid?
While an overactive thyroid drives the metabolism up and can lead to increased sweating and unwanted weight loss, in the case of an underactive thyroid, the metabolism slows down and the body shifts down a gear. Women are affected more often than men and about 10 percent of all women suffer from it decreased production of thyroid hormones, Possible causes of hypothyroidism include genetic factors, excessive iodine or selenium deficiency, operations, medications, and disorders of the high-level control organs in the brain. The most common cause of hypothyroidism is chronic inflammation of the thyroid gland, known as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
Hypothyroidism: 4 Symptoms of Hypothyroidism
The tricky thing about an underactive thyroid is that it often develops slowly in adulthood and those affected don’t notice it at first. Many people notice the disease only when increasing functional impairment results in significant symptoms. The following symptoms are extremely common:
1. Fatigue and exhaustion
In the beginning, many sufferers may not even notice this symptom, especially if the disease progresses slowly over the years. Other diseases, nutritional deficiencies or the time of year can also be responsible for fatigue. However, with an underactive thyroid, metabolism slows down and those affected have less energy, a lower pulse and report difficulty breathing As well as severe exhaustion even with light loads.
2. Psychological complaints
These physical symptoms often accompany the psychological complaints in hypothyroidism. except bare difficulty concentrating or may be lack of drive depressed mood Or set in a debilitating lethargy. At the latest when such diseases occur, you should contact your doctor to clarify the cause and diagnose.
