The sign and symptoms of Hypothyroidism depend on the duration and severity of the disease:
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GENERAL
- Tiredness, weight gain
- Intolerance to cold
- Hoarseness
- High blood cholesterol level
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SKIN
- Dry , flaky skin
- Hair fall and brittle hair
- Vitiligo, purplish lips
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CARDIORESPIRATORY
- Slow heart rate
- Hypertension, cardiac failure
- Pericardial and pleural effusion
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REPRODUCTIVE
- Scanty periods
- Infertility (in both male and female)
- Impotency
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NEUROMUSCULAR
- Aches, muscle stiffness
- Carpel tunnel syndrome (where the median nerve gets "trapped" at the wrist)
- Faulty functioning of muscles
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GASTROINTESTINAL
- Constipation
- Ascites (fluid accumulation in the abdomen)
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HEAMATOLOGICAL
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Anemia due to iron deficiency
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PSYCHOLOGICAL
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Depression
- Absent-mindedness
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It is a condition resulting from long-term hypothyroidism going undiagnosed. It is predominantly seen in women and symptoms of Hypothyroidism include low blood pressure, decreased breathing, low body temperature and even coma. In extreme cases, myxedema can be fatal.
Congenital Hypothyroidism
Some babies are born with a thyroid gland that does not develop correctly or doesn't work properly or with relative absence of thyroid gland. This type of hypothyroidism is called congenital hypothyroidism.
- One of the earliest important symptoms of Hypothyroidism in babies is widened skull sutures.
- Skin becomes thick and dry.
- The babies sleep most of the times, cry little and feed poorly.
- Sustained jaundice is one of the characteristic symptoms of Hypothyroidism in babies.
- By 8-10 weeks, frank symptoms of Hypothyroidism like puffy face, swollen eyelids, broad nose, with thick protuberant tongue become evident.
- If untreated, the child may develop more serious symptoms of Hypothyroidism like physical and mental retardation.
Hypothyroidism in Children and Teens
The usual symptoms of Hypothyroidism are same as adults. Other signs include:
- Poor growth, resulting in short stature
- Delayed development of permanent teeth
- Delayed puberty
- Poor mental development
Cretinism
- It is a condition where physical and mental growth of a child is stunted due to untreated congenital deficiency of thyroid hormones usually due to maternal hypothyroidism.
- It is characterized by poor growth in first year of life with thickened skin and protruded abdomen. Puberty is delayed and infertility is common along with other symptoms of Hypothyroidism.
