What are the Symptoms of Hashimoto’s?
Hashimoto’s typically involves the slow but steady destruction of the thyroid by the immune system, and Hashimoto’s symptoms can vary quite a bit from person to person. People in the early stages may have no symptoms at all. People in later stages may have lost the ability to function to a point at which they can no longer work or care for themselves. Once autoimmune disease progresses, patients begin to experience symptoms that can be felt physically, emotionally, and physiologically.
Hypothyroid Symptoms versus Hyperthyroid Symptoms
The destruction of the thyroid results in a state of hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid. But as the disease progresses some patients experience swings from hypo-, or under active, thyroid states to hyper-, or overactive, thyroid states before eventually settling into a hypo state. This cycling back and forth can have a big impact on one’s ability to function because the symptoms are so unpredictable. For example, periods of anxiety/insomnia/diarrhea/weight loss (all hyper symptoms) may be followed by periods of depression/fatigue/constipation/weight gain (all hypo symptoms).
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| Hair, Skin, Nails & Face |
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| Musculoskeletal System |
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| Endocrine System |
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Hypothyroidism Symptoms
The most common symptoms of Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism are fatigue, brain fog and memory issues and uncontrollable weight gain. Other common symptoms include: depression, constipation, hair loss, dry and brittle skin and nails, joint and muscle pain and more. Virtually every cell in the body has receptors for thyroid hormones and as the thyroid’s ability to produce hormones declines then other systems also become impacted. Some of the most common of these are the liver and cholesterol metabolism, low stomach acid (Hypochlorhydria), decreased bile flow in the gall bladder, decreased pancreatic enzymes, declines in neurotransmitters, and declines in progesterone levels. Below you will find a comprehensive checklist of Hashimoto’s-related symptoms.
Hypothyroidism Symptom Checklist
- Adrenal issues
- Adrenal issues
- Bipolar disorder
- Bloating
- Body aches
- Brain fog and memory issues
- Cardiovascular disease
- Chronic candida
- Cold all the time and/or cold extremities
- Constipation or sluggish bowels
- Cognitive and other neurological disorders
- Depression
- Difficulty losing weight
- Diffuse hair loss and thinning outer third of eyebrows
- Dry skin and hair
- Eczema
- Elevated cholesterol, LDL and other lipids
- Enlarged thyroid
- Fatigue
- Fibromyalgia
- Frequent infections, colds or flus
- Gall bladder issues and gallstones
- Gluten sensitivity
- GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
- Heavy feeling throughout body
- High homocysteine
- Hormonal dysregulation (adrenal fatigue, PMS, PCOS)
- Insufficient pancreatic enzymes
- Irritability
- Insulin resistance
- Joint pain and stiffness
- Kidney stones, infection or disease
- Low ferritin, low iron (anemia)
- Low vitamin D levels
- Low progesterone
- Muscle aches
- Neurotransmitter deficiencies: (acetyl-choline, catecholamines, dopamine, GABA, and serotonin)
- Nutrient deficiency, despite good diet
- Neck discomfort or pain
- Osteopenia or Osteoporosis
- Pale skin
- Palpitations
- Poor concentration, memory and/or motivation
- Quality of life compromised due to symptoms
- Ridges and lines on nails
- Run down
- Shortness of breath
- Sluggishness
- Skin problems (dryness, eczema)
- Throat discomfort, swelling or frequent sore throats
- Unease
- Vitiligo
- Water retention
- Weakness
- Wake feeling tired
- Xeric (dry, deficient in moisture, especially eyes and mucous membranes)
- Vitamin and mineral deficiencies: (Vitamin D, B6, B12, B5, selenium, magnesium, iron, zinc and more)
- Zero or very low energy and more!
There are over 300 Hypothyroidism symptoms!
Cholesterol Levels
Many Hashimoto’s patients have elevated LDL and total cholesterol due to the impact of hypothyroidism on cholesterol metabolism.
Emotional & Psychological Issues
Declines and deficiencies in neurotransmitters can result in emotional and psychological conditions like anxiety, depression, attention deficit disorders and more.
Thyroid Nodules
Often these people will have nodules. Thyroid nodules are solid or fluid-filled lumps that form within your thyroid. The vast majority of thyroid nodules aren’t serious and don’t cause symptoms; however, in rare cases some may become cancerous. Hashimoto’s patients are at risk of developing thyroid cancer so it is recommended that nodules be examined periodically to check for increases in size or development of malignancy.
Digestive Issues & Vitamin Deficiency
This, in turn, can lead to problems all down the digestive tract including the pancreas, the gallbladder, the liver and the small and large intestines. In addition, one of the common denominators of autoimmune disease is leaky gut or intestinal permeability and this is thought by some researchers to be involved in the genesis of all autoimmune diseases. This combination can lead to deficiencies in important vitamins and minerals responsible for healthy thyroid function like zinc, selenium, magnesium, iron, as well as, important vitamins like vitamin D, B12, B6. Low stomach acids (Hypochlorhydria) can lead to deficiencies in important vitamins like B12, which require adequate levels of stomach acid.
