It can be a common cause of weight gain, fatigue, as well as unexplained aches and pains – and an underactive thyroid has been linked to serious illness, including an increased risk of dementia.
Yet, experts say, it can take years for the condition to be diagnosed – with patients, who are usually women, still not being listened to when they go to the doctor, their symptoms are blamed on depression or menopause instead.
At least one in 20 people