Thyroid issues are prevalent in women, often manifesting in ways that can be mistaken for other conditions. Two types of thyroids, hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, are mostly common and are usually managed with medication. In this blog, we will discuss thyroid symptoms and how they significantly impact women's bodies.
The thyroid, a butterfly-shaped gland, is in the front of the neck. This produces hormones for many body functions such as metabolism, heart rate, digestive system, and weight management. When this gland fails to produce hormones or excretes too much, thyroid disease occurs leading to various symptoms caused by this condition.
The thyroid gland is part of the endocrine system and regulates many bodily functions. The primary job of this gland is to control the metabolism. Metabolic rate signifies how you consume food, which is converted into energy that our body cells require. If this gland fails to work, your entire system can be impacted.
Also Read: Heart Block Symptoms
Thyroid symptoms in females are divided into two groups. One is having hyperthyroidism which means that the thyroid gland is overactive. The other is suffering from an underactive thyroid gland. The most common symptom of hyperthyroidism is to speed up the metabolic rate whereas hyperthyroidism undermines the metabolism.
Symptoms of hyperthyroidism in females include:
Symptoms of hypothyroidism include:
However, both of these conditions can lead to an enlarged thyroid gland known as goitre. Such a condition is very common with hyperthyroidism.
Earlier, it was stated that two primary types of thyroids are hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Following are the details of the conditions caused by hypothyroidism:
Here are the conditions caused by hyperthyroidism:
Following are the conditions that both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism often include:
Also Read: Gastroparesis Symptoms
Thyroid symptoms have been more common in women and the common cause of such condition is delayed period. Thyroid can also delay or speed up the puberty process. Thyroid problems can regulate the menstruation flow. Depending on the type, women can experience a heavy or light flow.
The major issue women face is infertility. If the thyroid gland is underactive, women have a higher chance of developing ovarian cysts. Pregnant women with thyroid disorders face numerous complications, such as morning sickness, which is more common with hyperthyroidism. Women with hypothyroidism can experience a higher risk of premature labour, miscarriage, and other issues.
There are high chances of you developing thyroid disorder if you have the following:
To diagnose such a condition, your doctors might ask for the medical history and can suggest an examination based on that. Doctors check for any abnormal growth in the thyroid gland to see if it is enlarged or not. Some of the tests that doctors may conduct are mentioned below:
Thyroid symptoms solely depend on the thyroid type and its present condition. The purpose here is to get the thyroid level back to normal. Doctors may refer to the following treatment options if someone is down with hyperthyroidism:
Females are more prone to develop this condition than their male counterparts. There is no guaranteed way that one can prevent such a condition from developing. But making some subtle lifestyle changes can help one to stay immune to such conditions:
Also Check: Liver Health Symptoms
Conclusion
Being a woman, you are more likely to develop symptoms of thyroid. All you need to do is to stay cautious and check the thyroid level frequently. There might be changes in your neck where the gland resides. At such a juncture, consult with your healthcare provider and check your thyroid symptoms. Make sure you are having a healthy lifestyle and stay active every day to regulate the functioning of your glands properly.
We’re Star Health. We offer the coverage that’s designed to help keep you healthy. It's the care that comes to you, and stays with you.