Signs and Symptoms:

Many of the symptoms of hypothyroidism are opposite to hyperthyroidism, so that it becomes easy .to keep the symptomatology in view, to create mass awareness. Virtually, everyone is required to keep in mind such symptoms for the information of their physicians, so that the disease is diagnosed at the earliest, if not at the subclinical stage.

Since the metabolism of the body will decrease in a case of hypothyroidism, the entire functioning of the body becomes slow. The patient feels as if he has lost energy or vitality. The pulse/heart rate becomes low, and, in advanced cases, pericardial effusion (i.e. fluid in the pericardial cavity around the heart) may appear, which will markedly disturb the proper working of the heart.

In contrast to the over activity of the thyroid gland, in hypothyroidism, the pulse pressure is reduced, i.e. the difference between the upper (systolic) and lower (diastolic) blood pressure is less, as in this condition, the systolic pressure becomes low, while the diastolic blood pressure is elevated.

The patient will gain weight in spite of a reduced appetite, due to the swelling of the body. The face will show thickened features, and becomes expressionless (in hyperthyroidism, the patient is smart and immediately responds to questions).

In hypothyroidism, the skin is cool (due to the constriction of peripheral blood vessels). It is dry and coarse, as the secretion of both the sweat and sebaceous glands markedly decrease. The skin may look a bit yellowish due to the increase levels of carotene in the blood.

The hair of the body tends to fall and becomes dry and is without any lustre. There is a loss of hair on the outer part of the eyebrows. Even a marked falling of hair of the head may occur.

The voice may become husky or hoarse. The patient may feel constipated (in hyperthyroidism frequency of stools may increase).

Among females, there may be menstrual disturbance leading to irregular excessive bleeding (menorrhagia). Sterility is also an important manifestation of the disease in both the sexes. There may occur failure of ovulation in females, while in males the sperm count may be reduced. There may be lack of libido as well as impotence. Hence thyroid function tests may be advisable in cases of sterility as well as in cases of dysfunctional uterine bleeding, especially when there is no obvious cause to explain these disorders. In hyperthyroidism, bleeding during the menstrual period may be reduced (oligomenorrhea) and there may even be a stoppage of periods (amenorrhea).

The blood sugar level may fall (hypoglycaemia) in hypothyroidism, while blood sugar levels may increase (hyperglycaemia) during hyperthyroidism.

Hypothyroidism (myxoedema) may lead to psychiatric manifestations (myxoedema madness or mania). The patient's gait may become unsteady (cerebellar ataxia), and he may become unconscious (myxoedema coma).

As hypothyroidism is a treatable condition, therefore, irrespective of the advanced nature of the symptoms, the patient should take drugs with patience, and with a positive hope of recovery.