Thyroid is a small, butterfly shaped gland which is located in the lower neck. It is divided into the left and right lobe. Thyroid is one endocrine gland which makes hormones. The thyroid helps the body to set metabolism - how your body gets energy from the foods you eat. Thyroid disorders are often misdiagnosed and misunderstood by people. More women suffer from thyroid disease than men. In order to protect health, it is important to recognize the signs and symptoms of thyroid disorder. This article will help you to learn more about the symptoms of thyroid disorders especially in women.
Thyroid gland plays an important role of producing hormones that regulate the metabolism and growth of the body. It secretes hormones that travel though the bloodstream. The hormones secreted by thyroid glands control the growth and structure of the bone, sexual development and other body functions. These hormones help the body to mature as required by the body. To carry out the various functions, thyroid hormones require a chemical element, iodine. Iodine absorbed by the body from the food and water that people consume. The two most important thyroid hormones are Thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).
Recently, bollywood actress Kajol has stepped up by creating awareness over thyroid disorders and its symptoms on World Thyroid day. Kajol has especially requested to pregnant women for regular tests to keep the thyroid disease away and also it can be treated with proper medications before any complication arises. In the U.S, millions of people have thyroid diseases, most of them are women. Body uses energy more slowly or quickly than it should in case of thyroid disease. Hypothyroidism is far more common condition in which thyroid gland is not active enough. This condition make you gain weight, feel fatigued and have difficulty dealing with cold temperatures. In condition like hyperthyroidism, thyroid is too active and it makes more thyroid hormones than your body needs. This condition can lead to weight loss, speed up your heart rate and make you very sensitive to heat.
A thyroid disorder affects a woman's body as follows:
Particularly in case of overactive or underactive thyroid gland, the functions of the thyroid gland have much to do with a woman's reproductive system. The imbalance of this hormone levels may have the following effects on a woman's body:
Reproduction:
Ovulation (the release of an egg for fertilization) may be affected by an overactive or underactive thyroid gland. Thyroid disorders may stop ovulation from occurring at all and in addition the ovaries are at a raised risk for cyst development if the woman has an underactive thyroid (hypothyroid). While preventing ovulation, severe hypothyroidism can really cause milk production in the breast.
Puberty and menstruation:
Unusually, thyroid disorders can cause early or late onset of puberty and menstruation. Very light or very heavy menstrual periods, very irregular menstrual periods, or absent menstrual periods (a condition called amenorrhea) can also be caused by abnormally high or low levels of thyroid hormone.
Menopause:
The early onset of menopause (before age 40 or in the early 40s) may be caused by thyroid disorders. Some symptoms of hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) such as lack of menstruation, hot flashes, insomnia, and mood swings may be erroneous for early menopause. Sometimes, treating hyperthyroidism can lighten symptoms of, or the real onset of, early menopause.
Pregnancy and postpartum:
During pregnancy, thyroid disorders can harm the fetus and may lead to postpartum thyroid problems, such as postpartum thyroiditis.
Symptoms of Thyroid Disorders:
Thyroid Disorders take place when the thyroid gland fails to secrete the proper amount of hormones in the body. Various symptoms of thyroid problems are observed when the thyroid levels in the body decrease or increase from the normal thyroid level. Thyroid Disorders are of two types:
- Hyperthyroidism (Increased thyroid hormone secretion)
- Hypothyroidism (Decreased thyroid hormone secretion)
Hyperthyroidism:
In this condition, the thyroid gland becomes overactive producing over doses of thyroid hormones into the blood. Hyperthyroidism is indicated by Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) level below the normal range and T4 level above the normal range. Graves' disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. It mainly affects women of ages between 20 to 40 years.
Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism:
- Weight loss, even though person may be eating more than usual
- Fatigue
- Hot and cold flushes
- Intolerance to heat
- Inflamed and swollen eyes
- Bulging eyes mostly seen in adults
- Nervousness
- Rapid heart beat
- Increased sweating
- Infrequent and scant periods
- Frequent bowel movements
- Tremors
- Sleep disorders
- Fast heartbeat
- Muscle weakness
- Enlarged thyroid gland
Hypothyroidism:
A condition called hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid is produced when the thyroid gland produce hormones less than required. Hypothyroidism is indicated by Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) level above the normal range and T4 level below the normal thyroid level. The body uses lesser amount of energy than required in hypothyroidism. It is usually observed in people suffering from Hashimoto's disease, a type of autoimmune disease.
Symptoms of Hypothyroidism:
- Heavy periods
- Fatigue
- Dry skin
- Hoarse voice
- Weight gain, even though the person is eating less than normal
- Decreased appetite
- Poor memory and difficulty in concentration
- Sluggishness
- Brittle nails and hair loss
- Constipation
- Muscle pain
- Young people may have slow growth in height and slow sexual development
- Puffiness around the eyes
- Depression
- Intolerance to cold
It is better to consult your physician if any symptoms of thyroid disorders are observed along with unexplained moodiness. To check for the thyroid levels, the doctor may counsel a TSH test. Thyroid disease is a life-long condition and proper medical care and management can help subdue the symptoms of thyroid disorders and also lead a healthy life.
See the video from youtube, Thyroid Hormones & Women Misunderstood & Mismanaged:
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