Have you seen the signs of hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid, can go undiagnosed because many of its symptoms are similar to those of other conditions. As many as 10 percent of women and three percent of men are affected by the disorder.
Below are some common symptoms:
- Pervasive fatigue
- Dry, itchy skin
- Puffy face
- Constipation
- Weight gain and fluid retention
- Hair loss
- Heavy and/or irregular menstrual flow
- Dry, brittle hair or nails
- Difficulty learning or concentrating
- Forgetfulness
- A mother, father, sibling or close relative with hypothyroidism
If you have some of these symptoms, you may want to ask your primary care physician about testing your thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels.