Being a woman is not an easy job in this modern world. We are so trapped in the complicated juggle of work and home life that we often neglect our health.
We may face a plethora of health issues in today’s fast going life. The thyroid is among the most common problems women face in today’s generation.
A projected study shows that about 42 million people in India suffer from thyroid diseases.
However, women are more likely to have thyroid diseases as compared to men. Every eighth woman develops thyroid problems during her lifetime. But, the reason why women are more vulnerable is not known.
One reason can be the high flux of hormones during pregnancy and again at menopause. A common cause of hypothyroidism and its variants is autoimmunity, which is more common among women.
Special antibodies can destroy thyroid cells leading to autoimmune thyroiditis. Hence, it enhances the chances of thyroid in women.
Our thyroid gland is responsible for releasing those hormones in the body that maintain the body’s metabolism. The thyroid gland is located in the neck, just under Adam’s apple. Thyroid gland influences almost all of the metabolic processes in the body.
However, when your thyroid produces either too much or too little hormones, it is called thyroid disease. Genetic factors and a wrong lifestyle can lead to improper functioning of the thyroid gland.
In women, thyroid malfunctioning can cause certain problems, including:
Do you know your thyroid gland controls your menstrual cycle? You may face irregular periods when you suffer from thyroid problems. This can also lead to early menopause when other glands, including your ovaries, may get involved.
When thyroid problems affect your menstrual cycle, it can also affect your ovulation. These problems can make it harder for you to get pregnant.
The thyroid controls almost every function of your body. But when it gets pissed off, everything gets out of control. The kind of thyroid diseases that can affect women are:
Hypothyroidism
It occurs when your thyroid does not make enough thyroid hormones. This slows down many of your body’s functions and can attack your immune system. About 15-20% of women over 50 are affected by this thyroid condition.
Thyroiditis is defined as the inflammation of the thyroid. Thyroiditis occurs when your immune system produces antibodies that can attack the thyroid.
An enlarged thyroid gland is known as goitre. It can occur for a short period and may go away on its own without treatment. Sometimes, it can be large enough that you can see it or feel the lump with your hand.
Thyroid cancer occurs when cancer cells are formed by the tissues of the thyroid glands.
You can experience a variety of symptoms if you have a thyroid disease. Unfortunately, these symptoms are often similar to the signs of other medical conditions.
So it will become difficult for you to know if your symptoms are related to thyroid issues or something completely different.
We believe that thyroid symptoms in women may vary from person to person. They can come on very suddenly or can be hard to detect.
Therefore, it is essential to get these symptoms detected as soon as possible. Below mentioned are some of the most common symptoms of thyroid problems in women.
Unexplained weight changes are one of the most common symptoms of thyroid disorders. A sluggish thyroid gland reduces the body’s capacity to metabolise fat. Women whose thyroid glands are not working can have low BMRs [ Basal Metabolic Rate].
However, women with overactive thyroid glands can have high BMR. The weight issues are quite frustrating for most of us. Thus, diagnosing the unnoticed causes of weight changes is crucial.
Swelling in the neck or neck enlargement is a visible clue of a brewing thyroid disorder. Goitre can occur through hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. Swelling in the neck is one of the common symptoms that can occur from the nodules that grow inside the thyroid.
If you have hypothyroidism, your mood might get altered as it can affect the way your brain functions and significantly impact your mood. These thyroid disorders can have a noticeable impact on your energy levels and moods. You may feel anxiety problems, sleep problems or mood shits.
When you have frequent mood swings, you may feel anxious, irritable, tremulous or overthink the situation. Therefore, at times, we guide them to seek mental health treatment like talk therapy alongside medical treatment.
Is your period way heavier than usual? This could be a possible sign of hypothyroidism, as your thyroid can impact your menstrual cycle.
You can often notice irregularities in your periods. On the other hand, hyperthyroidism may cause lighter periods or unexpectedly disappear for a few months.
Another one of the many thyroid symptoms for female is racing heartbeat or palpitations. This happens because elevated thyroid hormones can put stress on your heart and an increase in heartbeat.
People who have hypothyroidism may notice their heart rate is slower than usual. It can also trigger your blood pressure and the sensation of a pounding heart.
Hair loss is another common sign that your thyroid hormones are out of balance. Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can cause hair loss. The causes of hair loss can often get unnoticed. Therefore, you should consult with your doctor regarding your hair loss issues.
Sometimes, these disorders can disrupt the ability to regulate body temperature. Women with hypothyroidism may feel cold more often than usual. However, hyperthyroidism tends to have the opposite effect, causing excessive sweating and increased body temperature.
Sleep patterns may get affected as the thyroid gland is responsible for brain activity and metabolism. Certain women complain of sleep problems due to an imbalance in thyroid hormones. These sleep problems are common, especially if you have thyroid issues.
However, the symptoms may vary on the basis of your thyroid conditions. Hence, a proper diagnosis is essential to start the treatment.
It is not easy to tell if you have thyroid disease as the symptoms are the same as other medical conditions. Depending on your symptoms, we can recommend specific tests, including:
Free thyroid profile tests levels of FT3, FT4, and Thyroid Stimulating Hormone [ TSH ] in your blood. It can help in figuring out if your thyroid is overactive or underactive.
A scan shows the pattern of iodine uptake in the thyroid. A special camera is used to get an image of your thyroid on a computer screen.
In this technique, ultrasound waves are used to take a picture of the thyroid on a computer screen. This test helps to evaluate what type of nodule you have and how large it is.
Early diagnosis of thyroid problems is essential to start timely treatment.
Book an appointment with the best ENT specialist in India. Are you looking for a thyroid specialist in Amritsar? Well, your search ends here with Amandeep Group of Hospitals. Get the best treatment combined with a broad range of expertise and specialised care in the whole region.
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