Hypothyroidism in men



Thyroid issues in men are frequently overlooked, because the symptoms can easily be mistaken for other conditions and closely resemble signs of aging or stress.

If you've been experiencing persistent fatigue, dry skin, or loss of muscle mass, it might be time to get your thyroid function checked.



How Does the Thyroid Gland Work?
The thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate every organ function including growth, breathing, body temperature, and metabolism.


Thyroid problems often arise from an imbalance in the levels of TSH, T3, and T4. Most of the thyroid hormone produced is T4, which is converted into T3 in the liver to carry out necessary functions in the body. When T3 and T4 levels are too high or low, TSH production adjusts accordingly. Problems occur when T4 production is inadequate or if the conversion of T4 to T3 is not sufficient.

Nutritional deficiencies, such as low iodine levels, can lead to thyroid problems, though iodine deficiency is less common in the U.S. due to iodized table salt.



Symptoms of Thyroid Issues in Men
Because the thyroid influences the metabolism of nearly every cell in the body, symptoms of thyroid dysfunction can be broad and difficult to pinpoint.

For men, symptoms may include fatigue, loss of muscle mass, balding, or erectile dysfunction, which are often mistakenly attributed to low testosterone.

 If left untreated, thyroid disorders can lead to other serious health problems.


The most commonly reported symptoms of thyroid disorder in men:

  • Irritability
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • High cholesterol
  • Mental fogginess
  • Low self-esteem
  • Decreased sex drive
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Hair loss
  • Difficulty coping with stress
  • Fatigue, low energy, low testosterone level



Common symptoms of hypothyroidism:

  • Hair loss
  • Fatigue
  • Dry skin
  • Weight gain
  • Constipation
  • Sensitivity to cold



Common symptoms of hyperthyroidism:

  • Muscle weakness
  • Shortness of breath
  • Heart palpitations
  • Anxiety
  • Osteoporosis (in severe cases)
  • Tremors
  • Hair loss
  • Insomnia
  • Weight loss
  • Fatigue
  • Heat intolerance
  • Frequent bowel movements



Treating Thyroid Disorders


Most thyroid imbalances are treated with hormone therapy, often using synthetic T4 (levothyroxine)

Many patients, however, are dissatisfied with treatment results due to inadequate testing that only assesses TSH rather than evaluating all thyroid-related hormones (TSH, T3, T4, reverse T3,  cortisol).

 

Go Back