What Can Mimic Hypothyroidism?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

often begins slowly. Symptoms can be mistaken for stress, depression, or other health problems . Common symptoms include: Fatigue.

What conditions have similar symptoms to hypothyroidism?

  • Angioedema.
  • Bronchitis.
  • Bulimia Nervosa.
  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
  • Congestive Heart Failure.
  • Depression.
  • Menopause.
  • Preeclampsia.

Can hypothyroidism be mistaken for something else?

Hypothyroidism often begins slowly. Symptoms can be mistaken for stress, depression, or other health problems . Common symptoms include: Fatigue.

Can you still have hypothyroidism with normal TSH levels?

Some people treated for hypothyroidism may still experience symptoms even if blood tests show that their thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels are well within the normal range .

What can be mistaken for thyroid?

  • Angioedema.
  • Bronchitis.
  • Bulimia Nervosa.
  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
  • Congestive Heart Failure.
  • Depression.
  • Menopause.
  • Preeclampsia.

Do you have hypothyroidism look at your hands?

Signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism can show up in the hands and nails. Hypothyroidism can cause dermatologic findings such as nail infection, vertical white ridges on the nails , nail splitting, brittle nails, slow nail growth, and nails lifting up.

How often is hypothyroidism misdiagnosed?

Dr. Kenneth Burman, who is endocrinology chief for MedStar Washington Hospital Center, says hypothyroidism affects up to 10 percent of the U.S. population. It is frequently misdiagnosed, because the symptoms are non-specific and easily mistaken for other health problems, according to Dr. Burman.

What does a Hashimoto's flare feel like?

You may feel fatigue , gain weight, be perpetually cold, experience constipation, have fertility issues, brain fog , or have aching joints and muscles, all of which are symptoms of Hashimoto's.

How do you feel with hypothyroid?

Hypothyroidism tends to make people feel tired, sluggish, and depressed . Hyperthyroidism can cause anxiety, problems sleeping, restlessness, and irritability.

Do symptoms of hypothyroidism come and go?

Symptoms of hypothyroidism usually appear slowly over several months or years . However, some people develop symptoms of hypothyroidism quickly over a few months. In general, the lower your thyroid hormone levels become and the longer they stay low, the more severe your symptoms will be.

Does hypothyroidism always show up in bloodwork?

In thyroid hormone resistance, thyroid hormone levels (TSH, T4, and T3) are normal, but cellular resistance creates thyroid dysfunction. This thyroid disorder is difficult to pinpoint because it doesn't show up on tests .

Does hypothyroidism always show up in blood tests?

Blood Tests: Hypothyroidism can be detected by different blood tests . TSH Test. A thyroid-stimulating hormone or TSH is a blood test that measures the amount of T4 (thyroxine) that the thyroid is being signaled to make. If you have an abnormally high level of TSH, it could mean you have hypothyroidism.

Can you have hypothyroidism and be skinny?

The symptoms of hypothyroidism can be non-specific or attributed to other factors, like stress and aging. Therefore, they are often easily missed. For instance, while weight gain is common in people with hypothyroidism,1 many people with an underactive thyroid are of normal weight or even thin .

Can stress mimic thyroid problems?

Stress alone will not cause a thyroid disorder , but it can make the condition worse. The impact of stress on the thyroid occurs by slowing your body's metabolism. This is another way that stress and weight gain are linked.

Can you be misdiagnosed with thyroid problems?

According to the American College of Endocrinology, thyroid disease is more common than diabetes or heart disease, effecting as many as 30 million Americans. More than half of those people are unaware of their condition, many because they have been misdiagnosed.

How do doctors find hypothyroidism?

Diagnosis of hypothyroidism is based on your symptoms and the results of blood tests that measure the level of TSH and sometimes the level of the thyroid hormone thyroxine . A low level of thyroxine and high level of TSH indicate an underactive thyroid.

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.