Hypothyroidism
Last updated: 26 Jan. 2026
Reviewed by: Specialist doctors from the Elfcare quality team
Feeling tired all the time? Struggling to lose weight even though nothing has changed in your routine? Or perhaps you’ve noticed that your skin is dry, your mood is low, and your energy isn’t what it used to be. These can all be signs of hypothyroidism: a condition where your thyroid gland isn’t producing enough hormones to keep your metabolism running as it should.
It’s one of the most common hormonal imbalances, and it often develops so slowly that people don’t realise what’s happening until the symptoms become more noticeable. The good news is that a simple blood test can detect small changes in thyroid hormone levels long before they start to affect your daily life.
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What is hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism means that your thyroid gland, a small butterfly-shaped gland in your neck, is producing too little of two important hormones: thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). These hormones influence nearly every organ in your body - they regulate how your cells use energy, how warm you feel, how your heart beats, and how your brain functions.
When your thyroid is underactive, your body’s metabolism slows down. This is sometimes called low metabolism or thyroid underfunction. It can make you feel sluggish, cold, or simply not quite yourself.
Because the change happens gradually, hypothyroidism can go unnoticed for months or even years. What feels like normal tiredness or stress may, in fact, be a sign that your thyroid hormone levels are lower than they should be.
The connection between thyroid and metabolism
Before looking at how Elfcare can help, it’s worth understanding how closely your thyroid and metabolism are connected and why even small imbalances can make such a noticeable difference.
Your thyroid hormones are central to how efficiently your body burns energy. When levels drop, your metabolism slows down - meaning you burn fewer calories at rest and may gain weight more easily. This slowdown can also affect body temperature, digestion, and even how your brain uses energy.
That’s why people with low thyroid function often describe a combination of fatigue, weight gain, and a general feeling of sluggishness.
Understanding this link between thyroid and metabolism helps explain why so many people with hypothyroidism feel off even when their lifestyle hasn’t changed. The key is not to push harder, but to understand what’s going on internally, and testing is the first step.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism
The symptoms of low thyroid function can vary a lot from person to person. Some notice only mild tiredness, while others experience several overlapping signs that affect both body and mind.
Common symptoms include:
Persistent tiredness or low energy
Unexplained weight gain or difficulty losing weight
Feeling unusually cold
Dry skin, brittle nails or hair loss
Puffiness in the face or around the eyes
Sluggish digestion or constipation
Slower heart rate
Feeling down, irritable, or mentally foggy
In more advanced or long-term cases, people may also notice:
Muscle stiffness or pain
Swelling in the hands and feet
Hoarseness
Menstrual irregularities or fertility challenges
Reduced libido
Memory problems or slower thinking
Pale or slightly yellowish skin tone
These symptoms are often vague and can easily be confused with other issues such as stress, lack of sleep, or iron deficiency. That’s why testing is so important - it provides clarity when the symptoms alone can’t tell the full story.
What causes hypothyroidism?
There isn’t one single cause, but several different conditions can lead to an underactive thyroid. The most common cause in Sweden and most of Europe is an autoimmune disease called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. In this condition, the immune system gradually affects the thyroid gland’s normal function, slowly reducing its ability to produce hormones.
Other possible causes of hypothyroidism include:
Previous thyroid surgery or radiation therapy
Certain medications (for example lithium or amiodarone)
Iodine deficiency (rare in Sweden but still a global cause)
Hereditary factors - genetic hypothyroidism can run in families
Temporary thyroid inflammation after pregnancy or infection
Problems in the pituitary gland, which regulates thyroid hormone production
Globally, a lack of iodine is still a major cause of thyroid underfunction, but in Sweden, where iodine is added to table salt, autoimmune causes dominate.
In rare cases, congenital hypothyroidism can occur at birth, a condition that is screened for in all newborns through the PKU test.
How is hypothyroidism detected?
The only reliable way to diagnose low thyroid function is through a blood test. It measures a few key biomarkers that show how your thyroid and pituitary glands are working together.
The main markers are:
TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone): This hormone is produced in the brain and signals the thyroid to make more hormones. High TSH levels usually indicate that the thyroid isn’t keeping up, a sign of thyroid underproduction.
Free T4 (thyroxine): The main hormone released by the thyroid. Low T4 levels mean the gland isn’t producing enough.
Free T3 (triiodothyronine): The active hormone that drives metabolism in your cells. Low T3 levels may explain persistent low metabolism symptoms, even if T4 is only slightly reduced.
When these results are viewed together, they provide a clear picture of how well your thyroid is functioning.
At Elfcare, our blood test panels include TSH, T4 and T3, which means we can detect early deviations in your thyroid function before they become noticeable. By understanding your results, you can follow up with a healthcare professional and take action if needed, long before symptoms start affecting your daily life.
Why early detection matters
Hypothyroidism doesn’t happen overnight. The thyroid often becomes underactive slowly, and your body adapts to the lower hormone levels over time. You might not realise how much your energy or focus has changed until they’re restored.
That’s why early detection is so valuable. By identifying low thyroid levels before they cause symptoms, you can take small, proactive steps – adjusting nutrition, discussing your results with your doctor, or planning follow-up testing – rather than reacting later when symptoms have built up.
Early awareness helps prevent months or years of feeling tired, cold, or mentally foggy without knowing why. It’s also key for avoiding prolonged thyroid and metabolism disruption that can affect mood, heart health, and weight over time.
In short: knowing your numbers early gives you the freedom to act before your body forces you to.
How Elfcare can help
Elfcare’s health checks include TSH and T4 blood tests, giving you a detailed picture of your thyroid hormone levels. The process is simple: we take a small blood sample, analyse your hormone balance, and share your results in clear, accessible language.
Our approach isn’t about diagnosing or treating disease – it’s about helping you understand your body. By identifying early signs of thyroid underactivity, you can decide on the right next steps together with your healthcare provider.
We focus on prevention, awareness, and empowerment. With early insights, you can stay ahead of possible hormone imbalances and maintain energy, focus, and overall wellbeing.
Curious about your thyroid health? Elfcare’s blood tests help you discover your hormone balance early, so you can act before symptoms appear.
Summary
Hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid, is common but often goes unnoticed. The symptoms can be mild and easy to overlook, but early testing provides clarity and peace of mind.
By checking your TSH and T4 levels regularly through Elfcare’s preventive health checks, you can detect thyroid underfunction early, understand your metabolism, and take simple steps to protect your long-term health.
Because when you understand what’s happening inside your body, you can take control of how you feel.
Last updated: 26 Jan. 2026
Reviewed by: Specialist doctors from the quality team at Elfcare
FAQs
What is hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones to keep the body’s metabolism working properly. Because thyroid hormones affect nearly every organ, low levels can influence energy, temperature regulation, mood, and overall wellbeing. The condition often develops slowly, which means symptoms can go unnoticed for a long time.
What are the most common symptoms of hypothyroidism?
Early hypothyroidism often causes vague symptoms such as persistent tiredness, weight gain, feeling cold, or dry skin. Some people also notice low mood, mental fog, or slower digestion. Because these symptoms are common and non-specific, they are often mistaken for stress or lifestyle-related issues.
How is hypothyroidism detected?
Hypothyroidism is diagnosed through a blood test that measures how well the thyroid and pituitary glands are functioning. Key biomarkers include TSH, free T4, and sometimes free T3, which together show whether the thyroid is underactive. Testing can detect small hormonal changes long before symptoms become noticeable.
Can hypothyroidism be treated or managed?
Yes, hypothyroidism can be effectively managed once it is identified. Treatment and follow-up depend on the underlying cause and hormone levels, often involving regular monitoring and medical guidance. When detected early, most people are able to restore balance and feel like themselves again.