The symptoms of hypothyroidism are often so subtle that they go unnoticed especially in the initial stages. People often mistake these for symptoms of normal aging. Occasionally, some patients may have no symptoms at all. However, most patients have a varying combination of the symptoms mentioned here - the severity of symptoms may depend on the duration of the illness and its gravity.

Fatigue, weakness

Weight gain

Intolerance to cold

Depression

Irritability, mood instability

Loss of memory

Constipation

Excessive sleepiness

Dry and coarse hair, loss of hair

Dry, rough and pale skin

Abnormal menstrual cycles - Heavy or irregular menstrual periods

Decreased libido

Muscle cramps

Decreased sweating

Goiter

As the disease progresses, the following symptoms may be noticed:

Puffiness of face, hands and feet

Thinning of the outer third of the eyebrows

Slow speech

Hoarseness of voice

Low basal body temperature

Bradycardia (heart rate of less than sixty beats per minute)

Shallow and slow respiration

Difficulty in swallowing

Thickening of the skin

Myxedema - marked by dry skin and swellings around lips and nose as well as mental deterioration

Hypothyroidism in children can have a serious impact on the development of the child and can present as follows:

Poor growth, short stature

Delayed development of permanent teeth

Delayed puberty

Poor mental development