Signs and symptoms The most common symptoms of hypothyroidism in adults are fatigue, lethargy, cold intolerance, weight gain, constipation, change in voice, and dry skin, but the clinical presentation can include a wide variety of symptoms that differ with age, sex, and time between onset and diagnosis (table 1).
Common signs
a swelling in your neck caused by an enlarged thyroid gland (goitre) an irregular and/or unusually fast heart rate (palpitations) twitching or trembling. warm skin and excessive sweating.
Therefore, changes in any given patient's free T3 and/or free T4 within the normal range will result in an abnormal TSH value. This supports the role of TSH, in the absence of hypothalamic/pituitary disease, as the most sensitive marker of thyroid function.
A normal range for TSH in most laboratories is 0.4 milliunits per liter (mU/L) to 4.0 mU/L. If your TSH is higher than 4.0 mU/L on repeat tests, you probably have hypothyroidism. Your doctor may also order a T4 test.
Mild: Low but detectable TSH level — usually 0.1 to 0.4 mIU/L. This applies to 65% to 75% of people with subclinical hyperthyroidism. Severe: TSH level is less than 0.1 mIU/L.
Signs and symptoms
The most common symptoms of hypothyroidism in adults are fatigue, lethargy, cold intolerance, weight gain, constipation, change in voice, and dry skin, but the clinical presentation can include a wide variety of symptoms that differ with age, sex, and time between onset and diagnosis (table 1).
The most severe form of hypothyroidism is myxedema, a medical emergency. Hypothyroidism can be caused by a problem with the thyroid itself (primary), or by the malfunction of the pituitary gland or hypothalamus (secondary).
If an underactive thyroid isn't treated, it can lead to complications, including heart disease, goitre, pregnancy problems and a life-threatening condition called myxoedema coma (although this is very rare).
Hypothyroidism can't simply go away on its own. But with an individualized approach to treatment, it's possible to reverse the condition. The treatment options we suggest for most people dealing with hypothyroidism are not very difficult changes.
Hypothyroidism is brought on by a lack of thyroid-stimulating hormone production. The lack of thyroid hormones can cause disturbances in your metabolism, including your heart rate and body temperature. Fatigue, sensitivity to the cold, constipation, dry skin, and unexpected weight gain are among the main symptoms.
Overt hypothyroidism or full-blown disease
The end-stage of Hashimoto's is when your thyroid has become so damaged that you no longer have enough thyroid hormones and have to go on medication.
Stage 3: Subclinical Hypothyroidism
In this stage, TSH levels may be slightly elevated on blood tests (3-10 mU/L), and the levels of free T3 and free T4 are going to be normal. The person's thyroid antibodies may be even higher than in stage 2, as increases in TSH can increase the inflammation of the thyroid gland.
In very rare cases, a severe underactive thyroid may lead to a life-threatening condition called myxoedema coma. This is where the thyroid hormone levels become very low, causing symptoms such as confusion, hypothermia and drowsiness. Myxoedema coma requires emergency treatment in hospital.
Who is more likely to develop hypothyroidism? Women are much more likely than men to develop hypothyroidism. The disease is also more common among people older than age 60.
Normally, low levels (less than 5 units) of TSH are sufficient to keep the normal thyroid gland functioning properly. When the thyroid gland becomes inefficient, such as in early hypothyroidism, the TSH becomes elevated even though the T4 and T3 may still be within the "normal" range.
Fatty foods – Fats are known to upset your body's ability to absorb thyroid replacement hormones. Fats can also prevent the thyroid's natural ability to produce hormones. Physicians recommend that you cut out all fried foods and limit your intake of fats from butter, mayonnaise and fatty meats.
Hypothyroidism can be caused by the autoimmune disorder Hashimoto thyroiditis, irradiation or surgical removal of the thyroid gland, and medications that reduce thyroid hormone levels. Anyone can develop hypothyroidism, but people ages 50 years and above are at greater risk, and women are at higher risk than men.
As the body slows, you may notice that you feel colder, you tire more easily, your skin is getting drier, you are becoming forgetful and depressed, and you are getting constipated. Symptoms of hypothyroidism usually appear slowly over several months or years.
What is a normal TSH level in a woman? An optimal TSH level in a woman is 0.4-2.5 mIU/L. For pregnant women, that upper limit is stricter than if you are not pregnant.
Subclinical (borderline) hypothyroidism
Some people have a mildly underactive thyroid, with few or no symptoms. Doctors call this subclinical hypothyroidism. If you have this, your blood test will show that your TSH is raised but your free T4 is normal. This is fairly common, especially in older people.
Severity Assessment. Patients showing persistently very low serum TSH values (< 0.1 μU/mL; Grade II) should be treated for the underlying cause of subclinical hyperthyroidism.