What are the symptoms of Hypothyroidism? The most common one is that you feel slow, tired, listless. Why does this happen?

The thyroid is a small endocrine gland located in the front of the neck. It plays a key role in regulating your metabolic rate - quite literally the speed at which you process calories to produce energy. If it is not producing enough thyroid, you have hypothyroidism, most noticeable from a lack or energy.

While there are many causes, it seems to be part of the ageing process for many women, particularly after menopause. There are numerous symptoms, including:

Fatigue - feeling run down or sluggish
Depression, restlessness, moods swings, feeling sad or worthless
Loss of interest in everyday activities
Problems with concentration, loss of memory
General aches and pains
Infections
Slow pulse
Hypotension (low blood pressure)
Dizziness, vertigo, and light-headedness

There is really only one treatment, which is to supplement with thyroid medication. It can be quite tricky to find the right dosage, with patients fluctuating between listlessness and hyperactivity depending on the dosage.

If you have concerns that you may be suffering from this disease, you should contact your doctor as failure to treat this condition can lead to severe depression, heart failure, or coma.