Are you gaining weight without any apparent reason or you cannot manage to lose weight no matter how hard you try? Are you feeling sad and depressed? Do you catch colds often? Are you having a tough time focusing and you are feeling tired most of the time? All these could be thyroid disease symptoms, namely indicators of hypothyroidism. Since hormones affect all cells of the body, a deficiency in the activity of this gland is felt in a wide array of thyroid disease symptoms.



Hypothyroidism is a very frequent affliction, and statistics say that some 20% and 10% of men suffer from this disease. We are speaking of hypothyroidism when the gland does not produce enough hormones. The causes could be a malfunction of the hypophysis, the Hashimoto, the surgical removal of the goiter, some medicine, food that lacks enough iodine. The consequence of a reduced function of the thyroid gland does not remain unnoticed: the energy is used at a slower than normal pace, thus many of the functions of the body are slowed down.

In hypothyroidism the most important thyroid disease symptoms are as follows: 1. a state of drowsiness, even though you get enough sleep; 2. problems with memory, difficulties in focusing and attention problems; 3. slowed heart rate; 4. increased sensitivity to the cold; 5. a tingling sensation in the hands; 6. dry and harsh skin; 7. dry hair, lacking shine; 8. fragile, thin and easily broken finger nails; 9. slow motions and reactions (bradykinesia); 10. frequent constipation; 11. muscle cramps; 12. edema of the face (the face is shaped like a “full moon”); 13. decreased libido; 14. menstrual disorders.

Diagnosis is made based o blood tests, which measure the level of thyroidal hormones, namely the amounts of T3 and T4 hormones, as well as the TSH, which is secreted by the pituitary gland. A low level of thyroid hormones, added with high levels of TSH, indicate hypothyroidism. Still, if the thyroid hormones are only deficient to a small extent, the tests could show normal levels for these hormones, even if the patient presents symptoms that are specific to this disease. Also, the doctor could recommend the performance of some additional investigations, such as thyroidian ecography or a scintigraphy.

There is one pretty simple and precise test meant to detect deficiency of thyroid hormones: basic temperature. People who are suffering from hypothyroidism tend to have a body temperature lower than normal. The temperature reflects the metabolic rate, a rate which is mostly determined by the thyroid hormones. When the thyroid is not functioning normally, the body temperature is decreased. You only need a thermometer. How is this done? In the morning, as soon as you wake up, before getting out of bed, measure your temperature (be careful to keep a thermometer handy).

If you are using a classic thermometer, keep the thermometer under your arm for 10 minutes. Note the value obtained and do he same in the next 3 or 4 days, preferably at the same time. A value between 36.4 degrees and 36.7 degrees Celsius is normal. A value below 36.4 degrees Celsius indicates hypothyroidism.