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Symptoms usually come on gradually, over weeks or months. Therefore, you may have hypothyroidism for a long time, even years, before you realize you are ill. If you are an older adult, it may be even harder to recognize you are ill because instead of getting the typical symptoms of hypothyroidism, you may just gain weight or feel tired. Symptoms vary with the severity of the hypothyroidism and the length of time your body has lacked the proper amount of thyroid hormone.
Symptoms include:
Later symptoms or signs include:
Symptoms of severe or prolonged cases include:
You may have only one of these symptoms, but usually patients have a combination. Occasionally, patients with hypothyroidism have no symptoms at all, or the symptoms are so subtle they go unnoticed for a long period of time.
References:
American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists website. Available at: http://www.aace.com/ .
American Thyroid Association website. Available at: http://www.thyroid.org/ .
Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine. 14th ed. McGraw-Hill; 2002.
Wartofsky L. Myxedema coma. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. 2006;35:687-98.
Last reviewed November 2008 by David Juan, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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