The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped organ in the front of your neck responsible for producing hormones that regulate metabolism, energy levels, body temperature, and brain function.
When your thyroid isn’t working as it should, specifically when it’s underactive (hypothyroidism), your body begins to slow down.
You might always feel tired, struggle to lose weight, or notice changes in your skin and hair. Left untreated, hypothyroidism can lead to serious complications, such as heart disease, infertility, and cognitive decline.
Fortunately, identifying thyroid issues early can prevent many of these problems.
Dr. Rina Kapoor, a board-certified internal and integrative medicine specialist at ARA Integrative and Functional Medicine in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, can find the root cause of your thyroid issues and provide care and support to help you feel like yourself again.
So, how do you know if your thyroid is underactive? Here are five signs you shouldn’t ignore.
Your thyroid might be to blame if you’re constantly dragging even after a good night’s sleep. Since the thyroid controls energy levels, when it slows down, so do you.
People with hypothyroidism often describe feeling sluggish, needing naps during the day, or struggling to stay focused. If you feel like you’re always running on empty, it’s worth checking your thyroid.
If you eat healthy and exercise but still gain weight (or struggle to lose it), your thyroid could be behind it. Thyroid hormones control metabolism, and an underactive thyroid means your body burns fewer calories, making weight loss feel impossible.
When thyroid hormones are low, your skin can become dry and flaky, and slathering on more moisturizer may not help. Your hair may also become brittle, thin, or fall out more than usual, as the hair follicles don’t get the proper stimulation to grow.
One telltale sign of hypothyroidism is losing the outer part of your eyebrows.
Your thyroid also affects your mind. Many people with hypothyroidism struggle with brain fog, forgetfulness, or even depression. If you feel like you’re constantly in a mental fog, struggling to focus, or just feeling down for no apparent reason, your thyroid could play a role.
It’s not all in your head; your body’s hormones can directly impact your mood and clarity.
Constantly feeling cold when everyone else is comfortable or struggling to keep your hands and feet warm could be due to an underactive thyroid. Hypothyroidism slows your body’s ability to regulate temperature.
Some people with hypothyroidism even develop a lower-than-normal body temperature.
If any of these symptoms sound familiar, don’t ignore them. Thyroid issues often start slow but can get worse over time if left untreated. However, hypothyroidism is treatable, and under Dr. Kapoor’s expert care, you can start feeling like yourself again in no time.
Your thyroid might be small, but its impact on your health is enormous. If you struggle with exhaustion, weight gain, dry skin, brain fog, or constant coldness, your thyroid could be trying to tell you something.
At ARA Integrative and Functional Medicine, we believe in treating the whole person, not just symptoms, and we’re committed to finding the best solutions for your thyroid health.
If you suspect you may have an underactive thyroid, schedule an appointment online or call our Philadelphia-area office at 610-358-3300 today.
