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Constipation
Fatigue
Itchy skin
Hair loss
Weight gain
Yellow nails
Dry skin
Thinning hair
Low energy
Cold intolerance
Suddenly feeling cold and shaking without fever
Not seeing your symptoms? No worries!
A disorder where thyroid hormone levels in the body are abnormally low. These hormones are necessary for growth, development, and metabolism. Some symptoms include unintended weight gain, constipation, changes in menstrual cycles, dry skin, brittle nails, depression and memory issues. It can be caused by an autoimmune disorder (Hashimoto's) or from prior thyroid surgery and sometimes medications.
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
This is treated with daily thyroid hormone replacement tablets. Regular blood tests are needed to ensure the right amount of thyroid replacement for each individual.
Reviewed By:
Unnati Patel, MD, MSc (Family Medicine)
Dr.Patel serves as Center Medical Director and a Primary Care Physician at Oak Street Health in Arizona. She graduated from the Zhejiang University School of Medicine prior to working in clinical research focused on preventive medicine at the University of Illinois and the University of Nevada. Dr. Patel earned her MSc in Global Health from Georgetown University, during which she worked with the WHO in Sierra Leone and Save the Children in Washington, D.C. She went on to complete her Family Medicine residency in Chicago at Norwegian American Hospital before completing a fellowship in Leadership in Value-based Care in conjunction with the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, where she earned her MBA. Dr. Patel’s interests include health tech and teaching medical students and she currently serves as Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Arizona School of Medicine.
Hidetaka Hamasaki, MD (Endocrinology)
Dr. Hamasaki graduated from the Hiroshima University School of Medicine and the Graduate School of Medicine, Jichi Medical University. He completed his residency at the Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, National Center for Global Health and Medicine Hospital and the Department of Internal Medicine, Kohnodai Hospital, National Center for Global Health and Medicine. He has served in the National Center for Global Health and Medicine Hospital and Kohnodai Hospital and joined Hamasaki Clinic in April 2017. Dr. Hamasaki specializes in diabetes and treats a wide range of internal medicine and endocrine disorders.
Content updated on Dec 13, 2024
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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Q.
Hypothyroidism in Women 30-45: Symptoms & Your Action Plan
A.
Hypothyroidism is common but often overlooked in women 30 to 45, causing fatigue, weight gain, cold sensitivity, brain fog, hair and skin changes, and menstrual or fertility problems, yet it is highly treatable once confirmed with TSH and Free T4 testing and managed with levothyroxine plus follow up. There are several factors to consider, including postpartum and autoimmune risks, when to test, medication timing, how it impacts pregnancy, and signs that warrant urgent care or point to other causes; for your step by step action plan and key details that could change your next steps, see below.
References:
* Chaker L, Bianco AC, Jonklaas A, Peeters RP. Hypothyroidism. Lancet. 2017 Dec 9;390(10101):1550-1562. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(17)30703-1. PMID: 27982046.
* Al-Fahoum B, Al-Hajaj A, Alqutami K, Al-Ani M, Al-Shamaileh R, Naser A. Subclinical Hypothyroidism in Women: A Systematic Review. Cureus. 2020 Feb 21;12(2):e7075. doi: 10.7759/cureus.7075. PMID: 32189679; PMCID: PMC7089156.
* Alexander EK, Pearce EN, Brent GT, Brown RS, Chen H, Dosiou C, et al. 2017 Guidelines of the American Thyroid Association for the Diagnosis and Management of Thyroid Disease During Pregnancy and the Postpartum. Thyroid. 2017 Mar;27(3):315-389. doi: 10.1089/thy.2016.0457. PMID: 28056170.
* Krassas GE, Poppe K, Glinoer D. Thyroid Dysfunction and Autoimmunity: An Overview for the Gynecologist. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol. 2017 Nov;44:115-131. doi: 10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2017.03.003. Epub 2017 Mar 21. PMID: 28906326.
* Helfand M, Redeker NS. Quality of life in patients with hypothyroidism. Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes. 2018 Oct;25(5):349-355. doi: 10.1097/MED.0000000000000438. PMID: 30438150; PMCID: PMC6250645.
Q.
Levothyroxine for Women 30-45: Symptom Guide & Next Steps
A.
Levothyroxine is a safe, effective synthetic T4 for hypothyroidism, which is common in women 30 to 45; hallmark symptoms include persistent fatigue, unexplained weight gain, cold intolerance, dry skin, hair thinning, brain fog, mood changes, and menstrual or fertility problems. There are several factors to consider, including how to take it correctly, the timeline to feel better, lab monitoring and dose adjustments, pregnancy guidance, weight expectations, urgent red flags, and practical next steps. See below for the complete answer with details that can affect which actions you take now.
References:
* Patil N, et al. Hypothyroidism in Adults: A Review. JAMA. 2023 Jul 11;330(2):160-171. doi: 10.1001/jama.2023.10900. PMID: 37432431.
* Alexander EK, et al. 2017 Guidelines of the American Thyroid Association for the Diagnosis and Management of Thyroid Disease During Pregnancy and the Postpartum. Thyroid. 2017 Mar;27(3):315-389. doi: 10.1089/thy.2016.0457. PMID: 28054616.
* Kahric-Janicic N, et al. Diagnosis and Management of Thyroid Disease in Women. Med Clin North Am. 2020 Jan;104(1):153-169. doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2019.09.006. PMID: 31731698.
* Razvi S, et al. Management of Subclinical Hypothyroidism in Reproductive-Aged Women. Thyroid. 2019 Apr;29(4):450-463. doi: 10.1089/thy.2018.0673. PMID: 30841775.
* Surks MI. Levothyroxine Treatment in Subclinical Hypothyroidism: A Clinical Update. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2020 Sep 1;105(9):e3332-e3341. doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgaa488. PMID: 32678888.
Q.
Can low alkaline phosphatase be caused by thyroid issues?
A.
Yes—an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) can lower alkaline phosphatase by slowing bone turnover, and levels often normalize after thyroid hormone treatment. There are several other potential causes (nutritional deficiencies, malabsorption, rare genetic disorders), so persistent low results merit repeat testing and checks like TSH/free T4 and nutrient levels—see the important details and next‑step guidance below.
References:
Whyte MP. (2015). Enzyme-replacement therapy for childhood hypophosphatasia… N Engl J Med, 25610165.
Kim WR, Biggins SW, Kremers WK, et al. (2008). Hyponatremia and mortality in patients on the liver transplant waiting list: incorporation into the MELD score… N Engl J Med, 19005193.
Castera L, Foucher J, Bernard PH, et al. (2012). Liver stiffness measurement predicts outcome and decompensation in patients with chronic liver diseases… J Hepatol, 22167638.
Q.
Can low alkaline phosphatase be caused by thyroid issues?
A.
Yes—an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) can lower alkaline phosphatase by slowing bone turnover, and levels often normalize after thyroid hormone treatment. There are several other potential causes (nutritional deficiencies, malabsorption, rare genetic disorders), so persistent low results merit repeat testing and checks like TSH/free T4 and nutrient levels—see the important details and next‑step guidance below.
References:
Whyte MP. (2015). Enzyme-replacement therapy for childhood hypophosphatasia… N Engl J Med, 25610165.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25610165/
Kim WR, Biggins SW, Kremers WK, et al. (2008). Hyponatremia and mortality in patients on the liver transplant waiting list: incorporation into the MELD score… N Engl J Med, 19005193.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19005193/
Castera L, Foucher J, Bernard PH, et al. (2012). Liver stiffness measurement predicts outcome and decompensation in patients with chronic liver diseases… J Hepatol, 22167638.
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Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1Udovcic M, Pena RH, Patham B, Tabatabai L, Kansara A. Hypothyroidism and the Heart. Methodist Debakey Cardiovasc J. 2017 Apr-Jun;13(2):55-59. doi: 10.14797/mdcj-13-2-55. PMID: 28740582; PMCID: PMC5512679.
https://journal.houstonmethodist.org/article/10.14797/mdcj-13-2-55/Biondi B, Cooper DS. Thyroid hormone therapy for hypothyroidism. Endocrine. 2019 Oct;66(1):18-26. doi: 10.1007/s12020-019-02023-7. Epub 2019 Aug 1. PMID: 31372822.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12020-019-02023-7Bridwell RE, Willis GC, Gottlieb M, Koyfman A, Long B. Decompensated hypothyroidism: A review for the emergency clinician. Am J Emerg Med. 2021 Jan;39:207-212. doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2020.09.062. Epub 2020 Sep 30. PMID: 33039222.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0735675720308573?via%3DihubPersani L. Clinical review: Central hypothyroidism: pathogenic, diagnostic, and therapeutic challenges. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2012 Sep;97(9):3068-78. doi: 10.1210/jc.2012-1616. Epub 2012 Jul 31. PMID: 22851492.
https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/97/9/3068/2536827Hypothyroidism - Mayo Clinic
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypothyroidism/symptoms-causes/syc-20350284Chaker L, Bianco AC, Jonklaas J, Peeters RP. Hypothyroidism. Lancet. 2017 Sep 23;390(10101):1550-1562. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(17)30703-1. Epub 2017 Mar 20. PMID: 28336049; PMCID: PMC6619426.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28336049/