What Causes Shortness Of Breath While Walking In A Thyroid Patient?

Posted on Fri, 13 May 2016

Question: I have been getting progressively short of breath for a few years, at first it was just going uphill and up stairs. However I now get short of breath on level ground and have to stop every hundred yards or so. Visited my doctor had ECG, fasting blood test and chest Xray. All results normal except I have borderline Thyroid. I have been through a difficult time lately, my husband diagnosed with COPD and my daughter is an alcoholic so my doctor is putting it down to stress. I have looked into underactive throid and there are alot of people whom seem to suffer with breathlessness and depression because of problems with thyroid, I am becoming more and more convinced that this si my problem.

Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (24 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Hypothyroidism and weight gain can be causes

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Welcome and thanks for your query.
It is true that low functioning of the Thyroid can lead to decrease in the metabolism, low energy level, weight gain and mood changes especially depression. These would become better with replacement therapy.
Do get back to me if you have further queries.

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar