Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism causes the body to slow down. It occurs when there is too little thyroid hormone in the blood (“hypo” means “not enough”). Hypothyroidism affects about 140 of every 1,000 Americans or 4.6% of the United states population. Many of those affected by hypothyroidism do not know they have the disease. Women are more likely than men to have hypothyroidism.
Symptoms include:
- feeling slow or tired
- feeling cold
- drowsy during the day, even after sleeping all night
- slow heart rate
- poor memory
- difficulty concentrating
- muscle cramps
- weight gain
- husky voice
- thinning hair
- dry and coarse skin
- feeling depressed
- heavy menstrual flow
- milky discharge from the breasts
- infertility
- goiter
Many of the symptoms of hypothyroidism overlap with symptoms that can occur normally with aging, so if you have one or two symptoms, there is probably no reason to worry. However, if you are concerned about any of these symptoms, you should see your doctor.