Sign of Low Thyroid Levels
The thyroid is a gland in your neck that helps regulate your metabolism. When it's overactive and produces too much thyroid hormone, you experience the symptoms of hyperthyroidism. If it is under-active, you experience the signs of hypothyroidism, including many symptoms related to a slow metabolism. It can be important to recognize the common symptoms that indicate low thyroid levels.
Depression and forgetfulness
Depression and memory problems are sometimes a sign of low thyroid level. Some people who suffer from hypothyroidism refer to the feeling as "brain fog." Because the thyroid regulates metabolism, all body functions become slower when the gland is not producing enough hormone, and this includes mental processes.
Fatigue
Fatigue is a classic symptom of low thyroid levels. Because the thyroid plays such a large role in the body's metabolism, an under-active thyroid gland can make a sufferer feel tired and as though she is not rested, even after a full night's rest.
Changes to Hair, Nails and Skin
The slowing of your metabolism due to low thyroid levels can also make your hair and nails brittle and make your skin dry and pale. People with low thyroid levels may experience their hair falling out and thinning, or the hair may simply break more easily. Nails are thin and brittle and break easily.
Sensitivity to Cold
Many people with low thyroid levels report an extra sensitivity to cold. They may feel the need to wear sweaters and socks, even in relatively mild spring and summer weather.
Constipation
Due to the decrease in the metabolism caused by low thyroid levels, food moves through the gastrointestinal tract more slowly. For many hypothyroid sufferers, this results in constipation.
TSH level
Because many of the symptoms above can be caused by other conditions, the best indicator of low thyroid levels is a full panel of blood work that includes checking the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level. When the body functions normally, the pituitary gland sends this hormone to the thyroid in small amounts to tell it to make the hormones that regulate the body's metabolism. When the thyroid is under-active, the pituitary gland sends out more and more TSH to tell the thyroid it needs to make more thyroid hormone. That means that those with hyperthyroidism will have a very low TSH level and those with hypothyroidism will have high levels--usually over 4.0 or 5.0, depending on the ranges the lab and doctor use.
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