To know if you have hypothyroidism, you should look for common symptoms which often develop slowly over time. Key signs include:
- Feeling very tired or fatigued even with enough rest
- Unexplained weight gain
- Puffy face
- Sensitivity to cold temperatures
- Dry skin and thinning or brittle hair
- Constipation
- Muscle weakness, aches or stiffness
- Depression or low mood
- Slow heart rate
- Irregular or heavy menstrual periods in women
- Enlarged thyroid gland (goiter), which can cause neck swelling
If these symptoms are present, a healthcare provider will typically diagnose hypothyroidism through blood tests measuring thyroid hormone levels (such as TSH, T3, and T4). Sometimes imaging tests like thyroid ultrasound may be needed. Since symptoms can be subtle and similar to other conditions, it is important to seek medical advice for proper testing and diagnosis if hypothyroidism is suspected.