Low Thyroid Symptoms in Men

Low thyroid levels or hypothyroidism is not a condition that only women suffer from. It affects men too, and in ways that may be slightly different from those of women. A malfunctioning of the thyroid gland may cause this condition, that begins to affect various parts of the body. This may be due to poor iodine levels in the food consumed by men, or by elevated levels of stress. If you have been driven to believe that you may be suffering from this condition, you can identify it by understanding the different low thyroid symptoms in men, before which we will discuss the causes for this condition.

Causes

As mentioned earlier, stress is one of the major causes of low thyroid in men. There thyroid gland produces a hormone called T4, which is later converted into T3. T4 is less active than T3, which is why when one is stressed, the conversion rate of this hormone is affected, and leads to underactive thyroid in men. Apart from stress, other causes include poor levels of vitamin A, the mineral selenium and iodine affect thyroid levels and cause low thyroid.

Another cause of this condition in men is known as Hashimoto's disease, that is triggered by a weak immune system. This means, all the antibodies in the body begin to attack the thyroid gland, causing an autoimmune disorder, and therefore, all the other symptoms of low thyroid function in men. Thyroid problems in men are identified by having the TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) levels in the body checked by means of a blood test.

Symptoms

The thyroid symptoms in men that indicate hypothyroidism have been mentioned below. Simply identifying any one of these symptoms is not enough. You ought to be able to identify several symptoms together for it to be diagnosed as hypothyroidism.

• Low Metabolism: Low thyroid function first affects the metabolism of the body and then begins to manifest itself in other forms. As such, the fatigue sets in, and feeling tired all the time is one of the symptoms of poor thyroid symptoms. Low metabolism also leads to weight gain, and other gastrointestinal problems such as weight gain.
• Depression: For some men, accepting the fact that they are depressed is a big deal, and they probably won't even acknowledge it to themselves. However, it is a symptom of low thyroid function in men, that may go undetected. There are other symptoms that are associated with this condition, that include irritability, fatigue, and anxiety.
• Infertility: Another low thyroid symptom in men is a decline in the sperm count, that eventually causes infertility. Low thyroid levels also affect the body's testosterone levels that eventually affects a man's sex drive. Thus, low interest in sex and eventually infertility become symptoms of low thyroid levels in men.
• Joint Pain: Low metabolism leads to decreased strength, and therefore to muscle and joint pain. Exercising becomes difficult because of the fatigue, and causes severe pain and may also cause swelling sometimes.
• Hair & Skin Problems: A common symptom of low thyroid in men is the development of several skin problems, such as dry, flaky skin. In some cases, the skin may turn pale. Other conditions include weakening of hair leading to baldness, and brittle nails.
• Hormonal Changes: The body undergoes several hormonal changes in case of hypothyroidism, which affect the brain. This may cause poor memory, lowered reaction time, increased sensitivity to heat and cold, and hearing sensitivity.

If you notice these symptoms, it is imperative that you visit a doctor immediately, who will then have your TSH blood test conducted to detect the condition if it exists. Treating this problem as soon as possible is necessary before the condition gets any worse.

Disclaimer: This Buzzle article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.