Hypothyroidism has many symptoms, some of which are misinterpreted. It is best to make a list of all symptoms before approaching your MD for blood tests. Following are several of the signs and symptoms of Hypothyroidism. They are not listed in order of importance, and there may be other symptoms that are not listed. I would encourage you to mention to your doctor any other symptoms that you feel may be linked. Try to be detailed in your report by listing frequency, intensity, time of day, when you first recall them happening, as well as anything else you can remember related to the episodes. The following list was modified from “What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Hypothyroidism: A Simple Plan for Extraordinary Results” by Ken Blanchard, M.D., Ph.D. with Marietta Abrams Brill.
| Skin and Outer Body: | Hormonal/Reproductive: |
|---|---|
| Dry Skin | PMS |
| Coarse Skin and/or Hair | Excessive Menstruation |
| Coarse, brittle hair | Lack of Menstruation (Amenorrhea) |
| Hair loss | Menopausal Symptoms (Hot flashes) |
| Nail weakness/thinness | Infertility |
| Edema of the eyelids | Frequent Miscarriage |
| Sensation of cold | Loss of Libido |
| Cold skin | |
| Decreased sweating | |
| Pallid skin |
| Muscles and Joints: | Emotional/Mental: |
|---|---|
| Muscle Weakness | Brain Fog |
| Muscle Pain | Memory Loss |
| Carpal Tunnel | Panic Attacks |
| Fibromyalgia | Depression |
| Edema (swelling) of the hands/feet | Personality Changes |
| Seasonal Affective Disorder |
| Gastrointestinal: | Cardiac: |
|---|---|
| Irritable Bowel Syndrome | High Blood Pressure |
| Abdominal Pain | Palpitations |
| Loss/Gain in Appetite | Mitral Valve Prolapse |
| Diarrhea | Pain in Chest Wall (Angina) |
| Constipation | Congestive Heart Failure |
| Unexplained Gain in Weight | High Lipids (Cholesterol) |
| High LDL/Triglycerides | |
| High Homocysteine | |
| Low HDL |
| Generalized: |
|---|
| Weakness |
| Insomnia |
| Lethargy |
| Slow Speech |
| Thick Tongue |
| Headaches/Migraines |