Hypothyroidism affects both men and women, but they may experience symptoms differently. Here, we will look at how an underactive thyroid can affect men.
Physical Symptoms
- Fatigue and low energy
- Weight gain
- Muscle weakness
- Cold intolerance
- A hoarse voice
- Drooping eyelids or puffiness around the eyes
- Brittle, crumbly, or breaking nails
- Dry skin and hair
- Hair loss
Hair loss that occurs with hypothyroidism is different from male pattern hair loss, in which the hair thins from the front and top.
Sexual Health
- Reduced fertility
- Erectile dysfunction
- Low libido
Fatigue, low mood, and weight gain can contribute to low libido. But, it may also happen because low thyroid activity affects other hormones, such as testosterone, resulting in a low sex drive.
More research is necessary into hypothyroidism’s effect on fertility, but there appears to be a link. It may be that thyroid dysfunction affects the production of sperm and testosterone and sperm quality.
Cognitive Symptoms
People with hypothyroidism may experience:
- Brain fog
- Memory lapses
- Difficulty concentrating
- Loss of interest and mental alertness
Taking your medication regularly can help avoid these effects.
Emotional Symptoms
Hypothyroidism can lead to:
- Depression
- Mood changes
- Negative body image
- Overt autoimmune hypothyroidism
- Subclinical or mild autoimmune hypothyroidism
- No thyroid problems
The researchers concluded that men with overt autoimmune hypothyroidism had issues with sexual health and mood, and those with mild hypothyroidism had problems with erectile function only.
Treatment with levothyroxine (L-thyrooxine, brand name Synthroid) improved these symptoms.
Marilyn Tan, MD, an endocrinologist and clinical associate professor of medicine at Stanford Health Care in California, says: “Overt hypothyroidism can lead to mood changes and changes in mentation in very severe cases. In addition, if one develops weight gain, hair loss, loss of muscle mass, and other symptoms of overt hypothyroidism, this can affect self-image and also mental health.”
However, she added that these effects mostly occur with overt hypothyroidism, a more severe form of hypothyroidism.