unfortunately, the common signs and symptoms indicating that something is amiss with your thyroid can often be overlooked.
common symptoms
in addition to depression, unexplained weight gain and excess fatigue, common signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism can also include feeling cold all the time, constipation, dry skin, coarse hair or hair loss, and muscle weakness and pain. some people also experience difficulty concentrating and menorrhagia (menstrual bleeding that lasts for more than seven days).
too often, hypothyroidism symptoms are mistaken for other health conditions. for example, some people who experience them simply chalk them up to aging, as the condition commonly impacts people over 50 and during menopause.
hypothyroidism is also common among pregnant women and new moms, who may attribute their symptoms to the stress of imminent or recent childbirth.
risks
early diagnosis and treatment of hypothyroidism is crucial, as it can lead to serious consequences if not treated.
a diagnosis of hypothyroidism is of particular concern for pregnant women. both overt and subclinical hypothyroidism may have adverse effects on the course of pregnancy and the development of the fetus, including increased incidence of miscarriage and preterm delivery, and potential damage to fetal neural development.