8. Muscle Weakness: The Strength Stealer
Muscle weakness, the eighth symptom, is particularly insidious. It creeps up subtly, initially perhaps dismissed as fatigue, but soon it becomes apparent that something is seriously amiss.
Your limbs feel heavy, as if wading through thick mud. Climbing stairs turns into a herculean task, and lifting objects you once handled with ease becomes a feat of strength. The weakness is pervasive, leaving you feeling vulnerable and incapacitated.
Thyroid hormones, in their excess, are toxic to muscle fibers, causing breakdown and fatigue at a cellular level. The biochemical signals that usually prompt muscle contraction become muddled, resulting in a profound loss of strength.
This weakness is not only a physical hurdle. It carries psychological weight, too. The loss of independence and the inability to perform daily tasks can lead to a sense of helplessness, affecting your mental well-being. (8)
