Life Hacks to Manage Hypothyroidism Symptoms
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Life Hacks to Manage Hypothyroidism Symptoms

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Updated on July 27, 2022
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Is there a better way to manage hypothyroidism symptoms? That’s what we wanted to know. Life hacks are little tweaks and tricks you can do right at home to find relief and feel your best. While sticking to your treatment plan is necessary to help restore your thyroid levels to normal, your lifestyle can be just as important.

Submitted by real people and thyroid specialists, these hacks can help you fight fatigue, perk up dry skin, lose that stubborn weight, and more. Try them out — then tell us what works for you!

Fatigue

More than just feeling tired after a long day, fatigue due to hypothyroidism can be a debilitating symptom for many people. You may feel weak, exhausted, or just plain run-down. How do you fight fatigue and boost your energy? Here’s what works for others:

RELATED: 6 Foods That Zap Energy When You Have Hypothyroidism

For help with energy, I take power naps. These make a huge difference in how much energy I have at the end of the day.
— Joan T.
A relaxing pre-sleep routine can help facilitate good sleep. Take a warm bath, read a favorite book, or listen to relaxing music.
— Kristine Arthur, MD

Sensitivity to Cold

Brrr, it’s cold in here! Or is it? A slowed metabolism due to hypothyroidism can cause your body temperature to drop, leading you to feel cold even in a warm environment. If you’re shivering when there’s no draft or wearing a sweatshirt when everyone else is comfortable in short sleeves, an underactive thyroid may be to blame.

I always dress in layers. In winter I often have three layers on, even in our house.
— Mari S.

Dry Skin

Low levels of thyroid hormone can change the way your skin looks and feels. And habits like using harsh soaps and taking hot showers can make dry, flaky skin worse. Add these tips to your beauty routine to help restore a healthy complexion.

When you come out of the shower, pat your skin dry and apply a good moisturizer within three minutes to seal in the moisture.
— Benjamin Barankin, MD
Opt for moisturizers that come in a jar or tub. These tend to be more moisturizing than those that come out of a pump.
— Matilda Nicholas, MD, PhD
A few times a week after showering, I apply fractionated coconut oil mixed with a few drops of hydrating essential oils.
— Carol T.

Memory Loss

If you often forget where you left your keys or struggle to remember the name of the person you just met, you may be experiencing hypothyroidism-related brain fog. What can you do to improve your memory and ability to concentrate? Try these tips:

One of the things I’ve had to do to battle forgetfulness — brain fog — is create daily to-do lists for myself.
— Wendi W.
Repeating a name or other important information in your mind a few times can help you remember it.
—  Joel Zonszein, MD
To help me remember to take my pills as scheduled, I set reminders on my phone.
— Joan T.

Other Symptoms

Because thyroid hormones affect nearly every organ in your body, hypothyroidism can contribute to everything from depression to constipation and joint pain. What steps do you take to keep your symptoms under control?

RELATED: 5 Stress-Relief Tips for Hypothyroidism

I meditate regularly to reduce stress.
— Blythe C.
Aim to drink six to eight glasses of water a day. Making sure you’re hydrated is part of addressing constipation.
— Jacqueline Jonklass, MD
Deep condition your hair regularly and avoid harsh treatments like dyes, chemical straighteners, and flat irons.
— Adam Friedman, MD
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Michael Natter, MD

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Michael Natter, MD, is a clinical assistant professor in the department of medicine at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine in New York City. Fusing his background in fine art with his medical practice, he creates medical illustrations and comics to both educate his patients, colleagues, and medical students as well as explore the emotional and human side of medicine. His work has been featured in The Philadelphia Inquirer, the Annals of Internal Medicine, Medscape, BuzzFeed, and others.

Dr. Natter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as a child and became interested in medicine at a young age. He initially began his studies in studio art but ultimately attended the Sidney Kimmel Medical College before returning to his home in New York City to complete his internal medicine residency and fellowship.

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Erin guides editorial direction and content for custom projects. Before joining Everyday Health, she was associate editor at dLife, an online resource for people managing diabetes. Erin majored in English with a minor in psychology at Stonehill College in Easton, Massachusetts. Outside of work she enjoys reading, going to concerts, traveling, and working out. She recently did 867 pushups in an hour to help send children with serious illnesses to camp.

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