5 Signs Your Thyroid is Underactive

If you’re sleeping but still feel exhausted, eating the same way, but your weight keeps creeping up, you’re likely asking, “What’s going on?” 

If that sounds familiar, your thyroid may be trying to tell you something.

An underactive thyroid, also called hypothyroidism, happens when your thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone. 

Because thyroid hormones help regulate metabolism, energy, temperature, digestion, mood, and more, even a small imbalance can affect how you feel.

At Dr. Bamba’s Health and Medical Center, our team helps adults and children in Glen Burnie, Maryland, identify thyroid problems early and get the right treatment.

Read on as Dr. N'Dama Bamba, MD, MPH, shares five signs that your thyroid is underactive.

1. You feel tired all the time 

Fatigue is one of the most common signs of an underactive thyroid. In fact, 89% of people surveyed with hypothyroidism report abnormal fatigue.

This isn’t just “I stayed up too late” tired. It can feel like persistent exhaustion that doesn’t improve much with rest. It can make it hard to think, work, or even manage basic daily tasks like cooking or doing chores.

When your thyroid hormone levels are low, your metabolism slows down, which can leave your body with less available energy. You may feel sluggish, unmotivated, or like it takes more effort than usual to get through your day.

2. You’re gaining weight or struggling to lose it

If your weight is increasing despite no major changes in your eating habits, your thyroid may be part of the problem.

Low thyroid hormone can slow your metabolism, which makes it easier to gain weight and harder to lose it. 

That said, thyroid-related weight gain is usually modest, so Dr. Bamba may also look at other factors, such as: 

• Diet 
• Activity level 
• Insulin resistance 
• Sleep 
• Stress 
• Hormone changes

3. You feel cold more often than usual

Do you reach for a sweater when everyone else feels fine? Cold intolerance can be another clue that your thyroid is underactive.

Your thyroid helps regulate body temperature. When hormone levels drop, your body may produce less heat. This is why you feel colder than usual, especially in your hands and feet.

4. Your skin, hair, or nails have changed

Hypothyroidism can affect the way your skin, hair, and nails grow and repair themselves.

You may notice dry skin, brittle nails, thinning hair, or hair that feels coarse and breaks more easily. Some people also develop puffiness in the face or around the eyes. Others may notice that their eyebrows are thinner on the edges.

These changes can happen gradually, so they’re easy to blame on weather, aging, or stress, but they’re worth mentioning during your visit.

5. Your mood, focus, or digestion feels off

An underactive thyroid can also influence your brain and digestive system.

You may feel more forgetful, mentally foggy, low, or slower to process things than usual. Constipation is also common because low thyroid levels can slow digestion.

If these symptoms present alongside fatigue, weight changes, cold intolerance, or skin and hair changes, it’s time to check your thyroid.

How is an underactive thyroid diagnosed?

If Dr. Bamba suspects hypothyroidism, she may recommend a blood test to check your thyroid hormone levels. Common tests include thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (free T4). 

In some cases, additional testing may be needed to look for autoimmune thyroid disease or other underlying causes.

The good news is that hypothyroidism is treatable. Many people manage it with daily thyroid hormone replacement and routine monitoring to make sure their levels stay in a healthy range.

Don’t ignore thyroid symptoms

It’s easy to dismiss fatigue, weight gain, dry skin, or brain fog as “just stress” or “just getting older.” Dr. Bamba can help diagnose your symptoms and help you feel like yourself again.

You can reach us at 410-412-8640. Or, simply schedule a visit with Dr. Bamba online.