Honestly, I don’t know much about it, but I’ve heard people with hypothyroidism are always tired and gaining weight. I guess they do some blood tests to figure it out?

I’m no doctor, but I’ve lived with hypothyroidism for years. When I first began feeling tired all the time and just couldn’t seem to stay warm, I thought it was just stress. But then I started gaining weight and my hair got really thin, which finally pushed me to see a doctor. They did a simple blood test, and it turned out my thyroid levels were low. Regular medication really helps manage the symptoms!

Common Symptoms and Diagnosis of Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism, also known as an underactive thyroid, is when the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones. Symptoms can vary widely depending on the severity of the hormone deficiency but often include fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, constipation, dry skin, hair loss, and depression.

Diagnosing hypothyroidism typically involves a thorough clinical evaluation including a medical history and physical examination. Doctors will commonly order blood tests to measure levels of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) and thyroxine. Elevated TSH and low thyroxine levels usually indicate hypothyroidism. In some cases, imaging studies or additional tests may be required to determine the cause.

So, about hypothyroidism, from what I’ve read, it’s this condition where your thyroid gland isn’t as active as it should be, leading to all sorts of problems like really feeling the chill or gaining weight. Doctors usually figure this out by checking your blood for certain hormone levels. If your TSH is high but the actual thyroid hormone levels are low, chances are you might be dealing with this condition.