Does hypothyroidism get worse over winter?
Do you notice your hypothyroid symptoms more when it’s cold outside? It’s not just you - there can be an increase in several common symptoms of an underactive thyroid. Let’s take a look at why this happens.
Why hypothyroid symptoms are worse during winter
TSH changes over winter
Did you know that your thyroid hormones fluctuate with the seasons? Multiple studies have found that TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) levels increase over winter. As you likely know, high TSH means your thyroid is struggling to meet your body’s need for thyroid hormones.
This might not be much of a problem for someone with a healthy thyroid. But if you have hypothyroidism (even subclinical), the gap between your body’s needs and output is likely to be larger. And this insufficiency of thyroid hormones means more symptoms overall.
Increased cold sensitivity
As an underactive thyroid means a slower metabolism, your body may run at a lower temperature. This can leave you prone to feeling the cold more. Even mild winter days can make you feel cold to the bone!
The good news is that if your hypothyroidism is well-controlled, you’ll be able to handle the chilly days better.
Weight gain
Unfortunately, maintaining a healthy weight can feel like an uphill battle for those with an underactive thyroid. Winter can make this even harder!
During winter, many of us experience a drop in physical activity thanks to the weather. This can include deliberate exercise, but also incidental activity. On top of that, many people experience carb cravings and yearn for comfort foods over winter to support their mood. This adds up to more weight gain over the colder months.
Seasonal depression
A common symptom of an underactive thyroid is depression. Depression is difficult enough to manage, but once you throw winter on top of it, it can feel impossible!
This is because you can develop seasonal depression or seasonal affective disorder (SAD). The shorter days and reduced daylight can throw off the balance of brain chemicals and circadian rhythms, making you feel miserable.
Studies around the overlap between SAD and hypothyroidism are scarce. But older research has suggested that a slight drop in free T4 could explain SAD in those with normal thyroid function - which means that if your levels are already low, you could be at even greater risk of SAD.
Dry skin
One of the more irritating symptoms of an underactive thyroid is dry skin. This happens because low thyroid hormone levels can lead to you producing less sweat. And unfortunately, it gets worse over the colder months.
Winter weather tends to have lower humidity due to the lower air temperature. Then you also have indoor heating that reduces humidity further. When you combine low humidity and reduced sweat production, your skin will become drier and itchier.
THE POWER IS IN YOUR HANDS
When you receive a thyroid disease diagnosis, there’s a good chance you’ll feel overwhelmed and powerless. It could even be that you’re not clear on what’s driving it or where it came from!
But even if you’re still uncovering the cause, it doesn’t mean you need to suffer the symptoms forever! Your daily habits can make a massive difference – all you need to do is learn about your condition and empower yourself.