# What does hypothyroidism feel like? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 29, 2009, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-hypothyroidism-feel-like/511984 "2009-09-29T15:39:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2009, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-hypothyroidism-feel-like/511984/1 "2009-09-29T15:39:42Z")
My mom had it, and I hear it’s a disorder you can inherit. If I ever got it, what would it feel like? ---
**Author:** ![EmAnJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d2c977/32.png) [@EmAnJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmAnJ)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2009, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-hypothyroidism-feel-like/511984/2 "2009-09-29T15:41:47Z")
My sister has it, and she generally feels tired, no matter how much she sleeps. She also has a LOT of trouble losing weight, but as for how it feels, I guess she mostly just feels tired. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2009, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-hypothyroidism-feel-like/511984/3 "2009-09-29T15:57:51Z")
Mine was detected through a blood test, so I never really noticed it. But the doc tells me that you can get: Fatigue Weight gain Feeling too cold when other people are comfortable Dry skin Brittle hair ---
**Author:** ![FalconFinder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@FalconFinder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FalconFinder)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2009, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-hypothyroidism-feel-like/511984/4 "2009-09-29T16:22:26Z")
Along with what’s been mentioned already, hair loss (including the outer 1/3rd of your eyebrows), low basal body temperature, depression, constipation, heart rhythm issues, menstrual issues (in women, obviously), family history, and cold skin can also be symptoms of Hypothyroidism. My blood tests never showed my TSH being outside the “normal” range on tests, but every person’s thyroid levels are unique to them. I had a great many of symptoms, but my GP wouldn’t believe that I was Hypothyroid due to those tests. I started going to a different doctor for a different set of issues and he and my gynecologist both agreed there might be something to me having hypothyroidism. After a year of playing process of elimination, I was finally put on a clinical trial of hormone. After just a week or so, I was feeling better. I’m not where I should be, as I have other issues that get in the way of getting my med dosage right, but it’s better than I used to be! If you’re interested, read the book “Thyroid Power” by Richard L and Karilee Shames. (An endocrinologist and an RN) and you can learn a lot about the disease: how to determine if you are hypothyroid and what you can do about it. It has a checklist and some tests you can do yourself at home if you suspect you’re hypothyroid that you can take to your doctor. ---
**Author:** ![Claire\_Beauchamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ec9cab/32.png) [@Claire\_Beauchamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claire_Beauchamp)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2009, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-hypothyroidism-feel-like/511984/5 "2009-09-29T16:47:36Z")
> [@FalconFinder](#): > > My blood tests never showed my TSH being outside the “normal” range on tests, but every person’s thyroid levels are unique to them. I had a great many of symptoms, but my GP wouldn’t believe that I was Hypothyroid due to those tests. Me, too. Most doctors look at “range of normal” rather than “optimal,” unfortunately. I even had some readings that dipped into the not-normal territory, and they still wouldn’t give me medication. Finally, when I developed a goiter and it grew for several consecutive years they finally put me on synthroid. And I’m STILL tired and losing hair!! _sigh_