Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland is not able to produce enough thyroid hormone.It is especially prevalent among women, In fact, as many as 10% of women may have some degree of thyroid hormone deficiency.

Risk Factors for Hypothyroidism

Anyone can develop hypothyroidism, but you are at increased risk if you:
Are a woman
Are over the age of 50
Have a family history of thyroid disease or any autoimmune disorder
Have an autoimmune disorder, such as type 1 diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis
Have taken antithyroid medications (a treatment for hyperthyroidism) or have been treated with radioactive iodine
Have had thyroid surgery (partial or total thyroidectomy)
Have been exposed to radiation to your neck or upper chest area
Were pregnant or had a baby within the past six months.

Hypothyroidism Symptoms

Symptoms of hypothyroidism vary depending on how severe of a deficiency in thyroid hormone production you are experiencing, and the length of time your body has been deprived of the proper amount of hormone.

Symptoms also vary between people; what may be one person’s main complaint might not affect another person at all and vice versa.

Most people will have some combination of the symptoms listed below. Occasionally, a person with hypothyroidism will have no symptoms at all,or the symptoms are so subtle that they go unnoticed.

Fatigue
Weakness
Weight gain or increased difficulty losing weight
Coarse, dry hair
Dry, rough pale skin
Hair loss
Cold intolerance (you can’t tolerate cold temperatures like those around you)
Muscle cramps and frequent muscle aches
Constipation
Depression
Irritability
Memory loss
Abnormal menstrual cycles
Decreased libido

How Is Hypothyroidism Diagnosed?

Hypothyroidism can often be diagnosed with a simple blood test called a thyroid hormone panel (also known as thyroid function panel), which measures the amount of thyroid hormone in your blood. In some people, however, diagnosis is not so simple and more detailed tests are needed.

If you have one or more of these symptoms,or if you have already been diagnosed and treated for hypothyroidism and continue to have symptoms, it’s important to discuss it with your physician Left untreated, the symptoms of hypothyroidism will usually progress. This can lead to complications including birth defects, infertility, elevated “bad” (LDL) cholesterol, and mental health problems. Rarely, untreated hypothyroidism can result in severe, life-threatening depression, heart failure, or a type of coma called myxedema coma.