The symptoms of underactive thyroid, also known as Hypothyroidism, can remain unnoticed for years before they become bad enough to create alarm. The thyroid gland, located in your lower neck, is responsible for producing the hormones required for proper organ and metabolism function. 

Causes of Underactive Thyroid
Many different problems can result in an underactive thyroid. Hashimoto’s disease, an autoimmune disorder, is the most common reason for an underactive thyroid. Some medications or radiation treatments can also create an underactive thyroid.

Damage, partial removal or complete removal of the thyroid can cause it to be underactive. Thyroiditis, or inflammation of the gland, can cause an underactive gland. Congenital hypothyroidism, or hypothyroidism you’re born with, can also cause an underactive thyroid.

Symptoms of Underactive Thyroid

• Fatigue is the most common symptom of an underactive thyroid. The lack of thyroid hormones slows down your entire body, even your heart rate. This causes a constant feeling of fatigue.
• Weight gain can be a symptom of an underactive thyroid, especially if it cannot be logically explained. An underactive thyroid causes your metabolism to function at a very slow rate. This slow metabolism burns fewer calories than what is normal for you and results in weight gain.
• Depression can be a symptom of an underactive thyroid. The problem can be both physical and psychological. Unexplained weight gain and constantly feeling tired is enough to make anyone feel depressed. However, since your body is also functioning slowly, a chemical imbalance can result in depression.
• Intolerance to cold can be a symptom of an underactive thyroid. The lack of thyroid hormones causes your metabolism to work slowly. A slow metabolism doesn’t pump out much heat, which makes your body feel cold. This problem can also make you sweat less than usual, since it takes a higher temperature to make your body sweat.
• General dehydration can be a symptom of an underactive thyroid. When the lack of thyroid hormones slows down your body functions, water and nutrients aren’t transported to cells as quickly as needed. This problem can result in constipation, dry skin and dry hair.

Underactive Thyroid Treatment
An underactive thyroid can be treated easily with a synthetic thyroid supplement. The supplement is slow to work and it may take several months before you feel results. However, once working it proves highly effective. Depending on the cause and severity of the problem, you may need to take the thyroid pills for the rest of your life.

Minor underactive thyroid problems can sometimes improve slightly with a doctor recommended underactive thyroid diet. For example, if you’re diet is lacking in iodine, it can sometimes result in an underactive thyroid. Eating a healthy diet that includes iodine rich food, such as seaweed, can sometimes balance out the deficiency.