When hypothyroidism develops before birth, the infant is retarded both mentally and physically. The patient's skin becomes dry and puffy, especially on the face, and the hair of the scalp and the eyebrows becomes dry and brittle. The voice may become hoarse, and anemia may develop. Sometimes, there is numbness and tingling in the hands and feet.
Constipation is common.
These symptoms develop gradually. Over a period of time, if the condition is untreated, the individual's personality can also change. There may be a slowing down of the thought processes, sometimes mild confusion and dementia, and occasionally symptoms that suggest paranoia. This severe form of hypothyroidism is called myxedema. A physician usually begins treatment of hypothyroidism with a small dose of one of the thyroid hormones and then gradually increases the dose.