Thyroid Health in Women: Why You Should Know About It

The thyroid is an often-overlooked vital organ. It is one of the body’s regulatory agents that impacts all kinds of things in the body. It is particularly important for women’s health. Whether you are old or young, the thyroid can affect your health and well-being in several ways. Are you feeling symptoms? 

There are a variety of things that can occur when you have an issue with your thyroid. Depending on what you are experiencing, you might not know that you are having a problem with the organ. Below are some details about the thyroid, how it affects women’s health, and what you should do about it.

What is the Thyroid?

The thyroid is a small gland in the shape of a butterfly. It is located at the base of the neck just below the person’s Adam’s apple. It produces hormones that facilitate the regulation of the body. The hormones produced by the thyroid are triiodothyronine and thyroxine. They have a large effect on your metabolism and overall health. The thyroid is a vital organ, but people typically don’t know that much about it. When there is a problem with it, you could experience many types of symptoms.

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is when the thyroid fails to produce enough hormones, which are needed to regulate certain aspects of the body. This disorder can be the result of an autoimmune disease. For example, the disorder known as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis can lead to hypothyroidism. Issues with the autoimmune system of the body typically arise when antibodies attack cell tissues. This can sometimes include the thyroid.

Thyroid surgery, radiation therapy, and medications can all cause the thyroid to produce less hormones. Other causes of hypothyroidism include congenital disease, pituitary disorder, and iodine deficiency. Hypothyroidism can also cause fatigue, inability to stay warm, weight-gain, depression, heart problems, and even issues with fertility and birth defects. It is just one of the disorders that can occur.

Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism, on the other hand, is when the thyroid overproduces hormones. When the thyroid produces too many of these chemicals, it can cause a variety of symptoms and complications. These include inability to sleep, anxiety, rapid heartbeat, sudden weight loss, and changes in the menstrual cycle.

Hyperthyroidism can also be the result of autoimmune diseases. It can result from excessive intake of iodine in the diet or medications. It can also be the result of a tumor or infection such as tumors of the ovaries or pituitary gland. 

Other chronic diseases like type 1 diabetes, pernicious anemia and other adrenal insufficiencies can impact the production of hormones and lead to the thyroid producing too many of them. The complications of hyperthyroidism can be similar or contrast to those of hypothyroidism, including shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, and weakening of bones.

The Menstrual Cycle

Depending on the production of hormones in the thyroid, the menstrual cycle can be disrupted by these issues. When it comes to the thyroid, the production of hormones needs to be just right. You could skip your period, or it could be too long depending on the hormone production. You could have spotting. It could be irregular. If you are experiencing something new when it comes to your menstrual cycle, it could be a problem related to your thyroid.

Pregnancy

Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism could affect a pregnancy. Not only does the wrong number of hormones being produced impact the ability to conceive, but it could also affect the baby. Infertility is one thing, but if the baby isn’t getting enough of what it needs, there could be birth defects. Untreated thyroid disease could result in all types of pregnancy complications. When you’re thinking about having a baby, a thyroid test isn’t a bad idea.

Thyroid Test

It is common that the only way to know if you have a thyroid problem is to get tested for it. You may or may not be having symptoms, but either way as you get older you should test thyroid every so often. When you are getting older and thinking about becoming a mother, it’s a good idea to have your thyroid hormone levels tested. Every five years or so you should monitor your thyroid health when you are aging. Finally, the most important thing you can do is test your thyroid when you are having symptoms.

Symptoms of Thyroid Issues

As you read above, there are many different symptoms that can arise from thyroid issues, but there are common ones. For example, fatigue and trouble sleeping are common. Depression and anxiety are someties the result of fluctuating hormones. Women’s health issues can be greatly impacted. Long-term hypothyroidism can even cause peripheral nerve damage. You could feel hot or cold, unable to change your temperature. With so many possible symptoms, it is best to be routinely tested for hormone production and other graver diseases.

Thyroid Cancer

Another issue with the thyroid is cancer. Cancer in the thyroid is certainly possible, although it isn’t necessarily the most common form of cancer. This doesn’t make a difference to the overproduction of cells. Cancer in the thyroid can be life-threatening. Don’t worry. There are screenings for cancer in the endocrine system that include the thyroid. Cancer in the thyroid is quite dangerous. It can lead to different complications, symptoms, and the need for treatment.

Treatment

When you leave thyroid issues untreated, that’s when all the problems begin to occur. Women should specifically get their thyroid checked out every so often, especially before trying to conceive a child. Treatment for hyperthyroidism can include radioactive iodine, which is taken by mouth and absorbed by the thyroid.

Symptoms usually subside in several months and the iodine disappears in weeks or months. Anti-thyroid medications can prevent the thyroid from overproducing hormones, but this can also lead to hypothyroidism in some cases. As for hypothyroidism, synthetic thyroid hormones are prescribed to the patient in the form of medications.

Whatever your situation, the thyroid is an important organ that helps regulate the body in many ways. You need the appropriate number of hormones in your body. The thyroid can be susceptible to cancer. It can cause all kinds of symptoms and complications. When you’re a woman who is navigating the process of aging, getting a thyroid test is usually a good idea.