Hypothyroidism

Alternative names:

adult hypothyroidism; myxedema

Symptoms:

Early symptoms:

• weakness
• fatigue
• cold intolerance
• constipation
• weight gain (unintentional)
• depression
• joint or muscle pain
• thin, brittle fingernails
• thinning of hair
• pale color

Late symptoms:

• slow speech
• dry flaky skin
• thickening of the skin
• puffy face, hands and feet
• decreased taste and smell
• thinning of eyebrows
• hoarseness
• menstrual periods, abnormal

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

• tongue problems
• swelling, overall
• skin color, patchy
• nipple discharge, abnormal
• muscle spasms (cramps)
• muscle pain
• muscle atrophy
• movement, uncoordinated
• menstruation, absent
• joint stiffness
• hearing loss
• hair, dry
• hair loss
• facial swelling
• ear noise/buzzing
• drowsiness
• breast development in males
• blood pressure, high
• appetite, loss
• ankle, feet, and leg swelling
• short stature
• sutures - separated
• teeth - delayed or absent formation

Signs and tests:

A physical examination reveals delayed muscle reflexes. Vital signs (temperature, pulse, rate of breathing, blood pressure) reveal slow heart rate, low blood pressure, and low temperature.

A chest X-ray may reveal an enlarged heart.

Laboratory tests to determine thyroid function include:

• T4 test
• T3 resin uptake
• serum TSH

Additional laboratory abnormalities may include:

• increased cholesterol levels
• increased liver enzymes
• increased serum prolactin
• low serum sodium
• low blood glucose
• a CBC that shows anemia

This disease may also alter the results of the following tests:

• uric acid
• triglycerides
• T3
• sodium, urine
• Schilling test
• radioactive iodine uptake
• glucose test
• antithyroglobulin antibody