Always tired and gaining weight? It might be your thyroid!
Always tired and gaining weight? It might be your thyroid!
EDD Health
February 26, 2026
5.0 minutes
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When the thyroid gland fails to produce enough thyroid hormone, the body’s metabolic rate slows down, and the functioning of various systems is affected as a result. Here are six typical symptoms that may occur when the thyroid is underactive:
This is the most fundamental change associated with hypothyroidism, as thyroid hormone is key to regulating the body’s metabolic rate. Patients will experience noticeable fatigue and weakness; even after a good night’s sleep, they still feel sluggish during the day and are constantly drowsy.Weight also increases gradually without the patient realizing it. Although their appetite hasn’t increased and their eating habits haven’t changed, the number on the scale keeps going up. This is because the body’s ability to burn calories has decreased. At the same time, patients tend to feel the cold more than average people. In the same environment where others feel comfortable, patients may already be wearing a thick coat—this is due to insufficient body heat production.
A lack of thyroid hormone can disrupt the skin’s normal renewal and repair processes, causing the skin to become dry and rough—and in some cases, flaky or itchy—so that it no longer feels smooth and supple to the touch. The hair growth cycle may also be disrupted, leading to thinning, dryness, and hair that is prone to breakage and shedding; some patients may even notice that the outer edges of their eyebrows have thinned. Nails may also become brittle and prone to ridges or breakage.
Thyroxine stimulates the heart, helping to maintain a normal heart rate and contractile force. When thyroxine levels are insufficient, the heart rate slows down, and the volume of blood pumped by the heart with each beat may also decrease. Patients may experience mild palpitations, shortness of breath during physical activity, and a significant decline in stamina. In a small number of more severe cases, this may even lead to pericardial effusion, which further impairs heart function.
Hypothyroidism has a significant impact on the nervous system.Patients may experience mental sluggishness and memory loss—particularly in short-term memory—frequently forgetting things, having difficulty concentrating, and experiencing a noticeable decline in work efficiency. Their speech may slow down, and their reactions may not be as quick as before. Emotionally, patients may become depressed and listless, losing enthusiasm for things they once enjoyed; in severe cases, they may even exhibit symptoms similar to depression.
A lack of thyroid hormone slows down gastrointestinal motility, leading to indigestion, bloating, and—most commonly—constipation, where patients may have a bowel movement only once every few days and experience difficulty passing stool.Musculoskeletal symptoms include muscle aches and stiffness, particularly in the limbs. Patients may also experience weakness, such as a feeling of their legs giving out when walking or climbing stairs. Insufficient muscle strength also increases the risk of ligament injuries during physical activity.
In female patients, hypothyroidism can disrupt the normal menstrual cycle, leading to irregular periods, heavy or light menstrual flow, or even temporary amenorrhea. It can also affect ovulation, thereby reducing fertility and making it more difficult to conceive. In male patients, it may cause a decreased sex drive or other related issues.
In addition to the six common symptoms mentioned above, hypothyroidism can also affect other areas of the body. For example, the voice may become hoarse and deep; this is caused by an enlarged thyroid gland compressing the recurrent laryngeal nerve or by swelling of the vocal cord mucosa. Some people may experience swelling around the eyes, making their face appear puffy. Hearing may also be affected, leading to tinnitus or hearing loss.
It is important to note that these symptoms usually develop gradually, and not every patient will experience all of them; their severity also varies from person to person.Some people may experience only one or two of these symptoms, and they may be mild enough to be easily overlooked. If you notice that you have several of the above symptoms at the same time—especially unexplained weight gain, an unusual sensitivity to cold, fatigue and weakness accompanied by low mood—it is recommended that you consult a doctor as soon as possible. A blood test to check your thyroid function is necessary to determine the cause of the problem.