Seven potential signs of hypothyroidism!

The professor points out that feeling cold and intolerance to cold is often due to hypothyroidism, which leads to a deficiency of T3 and T4 hormones.

She explains that thyroid hormones are the main stimulators of metabolism in body cells. When deficient, metabolic processes slow sharply, and heat generation in brown adipose tissue responsible for producing heat without muscle shivering is disrupted. Also, T3 hormone stimulates the synthesis of UCP-1 protein in mitochondria, but this mechanism stops in hypothyroidism.

She adds: “Peripheral blood vessels suffer from chronic spasms due to various factors, including elevated vasopressin levels, leading to persistent coldness and paleness of the skin, along with deterioration of microcirculation in the extremities. Hypothyroidism also causes general weakness and fatigue that reduce heat production from muscle activity and weaken the sensation of shivering.”

Symptoms worsen due to accompanying problems such as anemia, which impairs oxygen delivery to tissues, hypoglycemia that deprives cells of energy, and dry skin that disrupts its insulating functions.

The professor clarified that the main causes of hypothyroidism include autoimmune thyroiditis, thyroidectomy, radioactive iodine therapy, congenital disorders, and pituitary gland diseases. The most susceptible groups are women aged 40 to 50, people with genetic or autoimmune diseases, and pregnant women.