What are the signs of an underactive thyroid?
Independent – March 2025
Dr Stuart Sanders, Private Harley Street GP, contributes to an article looking at the signs to look out for if you think you may have an underactive thyroid. With actor Stanley Tucci recently sharing his experiences with thyroid issues this recent article looks at the causes of hypothyroidism and the symptoms to look out for.
According to Thyroid UK hypothyroidism is mostly seen in women between the ages of 40 and 50 but this is not always the case with other health factors such as autoimmune diseases also playing a role.
“Those more at risk of an underactive thyroid include female gender, the elderly, other autoimmune diseases, and pituitary gland which controls the thyroid function being underactive,”
Some of the symptoms of hypothyroidism can include:
- Fatigue and tiredness
- Low mood or depression
- Weight gain
- Constipation
- Swollen thyroid glands
- Feeling cold in warm environments
How is hypothyroidism diagnosed?
In diagnosing an underactive thyroid and the first step is to make an appointment with your GP. Your doctor will check for signs of hypothyroidism, consult with you on your medical history and carry out blood tests to measure your thyroid hormone levels. This is known as a thyroid function test
If you are concerned that you may have symptoms of an underactive thyroid then a full health screen can help identify any concerns or issues. To book an appointment with one of our private London doctors please get in touch with us here.