Your thyroid gland produces hormones that help regulate the body's metabolism.
An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) is where your thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones. Many of the body's functions slow down if you do not have enough thyroid hormones.
Common symptoms of an underactive thyroid
Common signs of an underactive thyroid are:
- tiredness
- weight gain
- depression
Many symptoms are similar to symptoms of other conditions. It is easy to confuse it for something else.
Symptoms usually develop over time. You may not notice them for years.
Other symptoms
These may include:
- feeling cold
- constipation
- slow movements and thoughts
- memory problems
- muscle aches and weakness
- muscle cramps
- dry and scaly skin
- hair and nails that break easily
- loss of libido (sex drive)
- pain, numbness and tingling in your hand and fingers - carpal tunnel syndrome
- irregular or heavy periods
Children may grow and develop slower.
Non-urgent advice: Contact your GP if:
- you have symptoms of an underactive thyroid
They can do a blood test to check your hormone levels.
Symptoms of an untreated underactive thyroid
If an underactive thyroid is not treated, more symptoms can develop.
Later symptoms include:
- a low-pitched and hoarse voice
- a puffy-looking face
- thinned or partly missing eyebrows
- a slow heart rate
- hearing loss
- anaemia
Content supplied by the NHS and adapted for Ireland by the HSE
