Before patients can even access all the help available, they must first recognize the symptoms of the problem.
For women age 35 and older, a thyroid malfunction can cause a windfall of health woes, many of which are mistakenly attributed to another cause. An estimated 30 percent of this demographic is affected by a thyroid on the fritz. According to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, half of these women suffer in silence because they aren’t even aware of the cause. Thirty million Americans have problems with a wonky thyroid.
Women are 10 times more likely than men to have thyroid issues, according to integrative medicine specialist Robin Miller, M.D. and co-author of The Smart Woman’s Guide to Midlife and Beyond. But there is no reason to be tormented by an unruly thyroid. There are many treatments available.
How the Thyroid Works
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck above the Adam’s apple. It exerts a dramatic effect on different bodily functions, including body temperature, metabolism and heartbeat. Thyroid hormones course through the blood to help the organs work. The thyroid gland is controlled by the pituitary gland, which checks the amount of thyroid hormone in the blood. The thyroid uses iodine from food, mainly seafood and dairy products, as well as salt, to produce the thyroid hormone.
Doing nothing and letting thyroid problems go untreated can lead to dire consequences, including heart problems and mental health issues.
15 Signs of Thyroid Problems
Here are 15 signs that your all-important thyroid isn’t functioning as it should, according to www.abcnews.com. It is either under-performing (hypothyroidism) or over-performing (hyperthyroidism). One or more of these symptoms should warrant a trip to the doctor for tests to determine the cause and treatment:
1. Exhaustion: Even after a full night’s sleep, you are extremely tired. It could be the result of too little thyroid hormone in your body.
2. Unusual depression: Hypothyroidism can have an impact on the serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is responsible for those feel-good emotions.
3. Feeling jittery and anxious: That sense of being hyper and unable to relax can be associated with excess thyroid hormone.
4. Alteration of appetite and taste buds: Hyperthyroidism can lead to an increased appetite. An underactive thyroid interferes with a person’s sense of taste and smell.
5. Fuzzy brain: Hyperthyroidism results in difficulty concentrating. Hypothyroidism can lead to brain fog and forgetfulness, which some women wrongly assume is just a part of menopause.
6. No interest in sex: With too little thyroid hormone in the body, the libido can be low. Other signs of hypothyroidism might contribute to this disinterest, including weight gain, lack of energy, and body aches and pains.
7. Feeling fluttery: If you notice heart palpitations or your heart skipping a beat, hyperthyroidism could be the culprit. When too many thyroid hormones flood the system, the heart can beat too hard or too quickly.
8. Dry skin: Skin can feel itchy, thanks to a slowed metabolism from hypothyroidism that reduces sweating. Because the skin lacks enough moisture, it becomes dry and flaky. Also, the fingernails become brittle and form ridges.
9. Unpredictable bowels: Hypothyroidism can lead to constipation as a result of digestive processes slowing down. “There’s no motility in your gut,” says Robin Miller, M.D. “This is one of the top three most common symptoms of hypothyroidism I see.”
An overactive thyroid acts the opposite way, causing diarrhea and more frequent bowel movements.
10. Changes in menstrual periods. Perhaps you experience longer periods with a heavier flow and more cramps, or your periods are closer together. The reason may be hypothyroidism. Hyperthyroidism may result in shorter, lighter and farther-apart periods.
11. Painful extremities or muscles: Mysterious or sudden tingling in the arms, legs, feet or hands could signal hypothyroidism. The condition can damage nerves that send signals from the brain and spinal cord throughout the body.
12. High blood pressure: Too much or too little thyroid hormone can cause this condition. Low amounts can slow the heartbeat, which affects the pumping and strength of the blood vessel wall.
13. The body’s thermostat is out of whack: An underactive thyroid may result in making you feel cold and chilly because the cells the cells burn less energy, and therefore produce less heat. An overactive thyroid makes a person feel too warm and cause profuse sweating.
14. Hoarseness or the neck feels funny: Determine if your thyroid is swelling. Watch in a mirror as you swallow a drink of water. If you see anything lumpy or suspicious, visit the doctor.
15. Sleep schedule is awry: If you feel the need to sleep all the time, it might be due to an under-performing thyroid. Conversely, if you can’t sleep and wake up in the middle of the night, the culprit could be an over-performing thyroid. Other symptoms might be anxiety and a rapid pulse.
Changes in your weight, with no other explanation, could be caused by a wonky thyroid. If you experience weight gain, even though you are not eating more, this could be due to hypothyroidism. Weight loss could be due to hyperthyroidism. Also be mindful of thinning hair or hair loss and high cholesterol. Additional signs that your thyroid needs help are a puffy face and muscle weakness, according to www.mayoclinic.org.
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Treatment
To ignore symptoms is foolhardy. Certain women are at increased risk of hypothyroidism. They include women who are 60 or older, women with autoimmune disorders, and recipients of radiation to the neck or upper chest. Left untreated, it can cause a goiter, which affects appearance and interferes with swallowing and breathing. Other ill effects are heart problems, depression, slow mental functioning and peripheral neuropathy characterized by pain, numbness, tingling and loss of muscle control.
A rare but life-threatening result of hypothyroidism is myxedema that can result from low blood pressure. It can cause decreased breathing and a lower body temperature. All of these conditions can lead to unresponsiveness and even a coma.
Treatment involves getting a thyroid-stimulating (TSH) test, a Free T3 test (for the hormone triiodothyronine) and a Free T4 test (for the hormone thyroxine). You may get a prescription for synthetic hormones. It might be a trial-and-error process until you and your doctor get the right dosage for you, according to www.hormone.org.
Hyperthyrodism is treated with radioactive iodine, anti-thyroid medications or even thyroid surgery.