Why So Many Underactive Thyroid Issues Go Undiagnosed and What You Can Do About It?

If you’ve been feeling tired, foggy, or just “off” for a while, you’re not alone. A lot of people struggle with symptoms that seem vague and frustrating but the root cause might be something they haven’t even considered: their thyroid.

Here’s the thing. Thyroid problems, especially underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), are surprisingly common. Estimates suggest that up to 1 in 10 people will develop hypothyroidism in their lifetime. And here’s the thing. Many of those cases go undiagnosed.

Why is that?

First, thyroid symptoms are often subtle or overlap with other conditions. Fatigue, weight gain, mood changes, brain fog, these can be chalked up to stress, perimenopause, aging, or lifestyle. Because of this, thyroid issues get overlooked or misdiagnosed.

Second, the standard thyroid blood tests doesn’t always catch the early stages. Your doctor might check your TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) and see it’s normal, but that doesn’t rule out autoimmune thyroid conditions like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, which actually causes most hypothyroidism cases.

Many people have thyroid antibodies circulating for years before their thyroid function dips low enough to show on routine tests. So they’re stuck feeling unwell without clear answers.

This underdiagnosis is a real problem because untreated thyroid dysfunction can quietly worsen over time, impacting energy, mood, cognitive function, digestion, metabolism, menstruation, fertility and overall health.

So what can you do?

• If you’ve got symptoms that don’t add up, ask your doctor for a full thyroid panel including thyroid antibodies (TPO and Tg antibodies), not just TSH. Alternatively, you can buy one privately; there are many online affordable thyroid tests that can be performed at home using a finger-prick test, which is then sent to a lab.

• Pay attention to subtle symptoms and trust your gut. You know your body best.

• Work with a healthcare provider who understands thyroid autoimmunity and functional medicine approaches (like me)!

• Lifestyle factors matter too; managing stress, eating nutrient-rich foods, and supporting your gut can make a difference.

Remember, thyroid health is not just about numbers on a blood test. It’s about how you feel and function every day. If you suspect something’s off, don’t wait. Get tested, get answers, and start your healing journey.

Book a free 30-minute discovery call with me to learn more about working together.

Book a call