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7 Early Warning Signs of Hypothyroidism You Should Not Ignore
Hypothyroidism explained
Hypothyroidism is a condition with insufficient thyroid hormone in your bloodstream, and your metabolism slows down.
Hypothyroidism may not cause noticeable symptoms in the early stages. However, over time, untreated hypothyroidism can cause several health problems, such as obesity, joint pain, infertility, and heart disease.
The thyroid gland is located in the front lower part of your neck. Hormones released by the gland travel through your bloodstream and affect nearly every part of your body, from your heart and brain to your muscles and skin.
The thyroid controls how your body’s cells use energy from food, a process called metabolism. Your metabolism affects your body’s temperature, your heartbeat, and how well you burn calories. If you don’t have enough thyroid hormone, your body processes slow down. That means your body makes less energy, and your metabolism becomes sluggish.
The opposite is hyperthyroidism, where the thyroid produces too much thyroid hormone. However, the link between hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism is complex, and one can lead to the other in certain circumstances.
