If you are feeling constantly tired and have put on weight, there are chances that it may be due to hypothyroidism, which results from underactive thyroid gland. Without sufficient thyroid hormones, many of the body functions including the way heart beats, can slow down.

There has been an increase in the diagnosed cases, particularly among the young generation, which apart from the increased awareness and screening, could be linked to factors like iodine deficiency and changes in diet. Iodine deficiency remains a major global cause of thyroid disorders, including hypothyroidism, which is reported to affect about 200 million people globally.

Victor Bernet, M.D, an endocrinologist at Mayo Clinic, explains risk factors and how the condition is diagnosed and treated. “Hypothyroidism is when the thyroid is making inadequate amounts of thyroid hormone,” Dr. Bernet explains. A blood test can confirm the condition, also called underactive thyroid.

Those at higher risk of hypothyroidism include women, people with a family history of thyroid disease, those with an autoimmune disease such as type 1 diabetes or celiac disease, people being treated for hyperthyroidism (when the thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone), those who have received radiation to the neck or upper chest or had thyroid surgery.

The symptoms, which may not be noticeable early on, can include fatigue, weight gain, dry skin, constipation, muscle pain, and swelling in the hands and feet.

Dr Bernet says that if hypothyroidism isn’t treated, the symptoms can become worse and lead to other health issues, like high cholesterol and heart problems. According to him the symptoms of hypothyroidism overlap with many other general medical issues hence it is better to see the doctor and get thyroid blood testing in case one suspects having hypothyroidism.