Thyroid Problems in Women - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

Throid is the most common problem seen in women today. It is cased when the thyroid gland that is located on the neck (right below the adam's apple) is enlarged due to various reasons thereby leading to various health ailments. vfe

Thyroid gland makes use of iodine, that is mostly found in salt and seafood, in producing thyroid hormones. The thyroid organs helps in regulating our body’s metabolic rate which in turn plays a very major role in the growth process of an individual and other important body functions. There are two types of thyroid hormones namely - Thyroxine and Triiodothyronine commonly known as T4 and T3 hormones respectively.

Depending on the amount of hormone produced by the thyroid gland, the thyroid diseases can be classified into two types - Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism.

Hypothyroidism

This occurs when the thyroid glands produce less than the normal level of thyroid hormones. When this happens the thyroid glands are said to be in the under-active state and thus resulting in a number of other diseases. The causes for hypothyroidism are:

• Hashimotos thyroiditis
• Silent thyroiditis
• Postpartum thyroiditis
• Acute thyroiditis
• Thyroid Hormone Resistance
• Various other medications that affects the functioning of thyroid

Hyperthyroidism

This occurs when the thyroid glands produce more than the normal level of thyroid hormones. When the body experiences this condition it is said to be in the over-active state, thus affecting the the overall body functioning. The causes of hyperthyroidism are:

• Excess consumption of iodine
• Toxic Multinodular Goiter
• Graves Disease
• Hashitoxicosis
• Toxic Nodule
• Various other medications that ingests the thyroid hormone

Symptoms and Signs Of Thyroid

Again Depending On The Type of Thyroid The Symptoms Differ. In Case Of Hypothyroidism a Person Can Experience The Following Signs & Symptoms:

• Forgetfulness and mental fogginess
• Fluid retention
• Constipation
• Dry skin
• Ache and some sort of stiffness in the joints and muscles
• Unusual, prolonged and excessive bleeding during menstruation’
• Feeling cold and shivering at times
• Fatigue
• Depression

In Case of Hyperthyroidism, The Symptoms and Signs Are:

• Heart intolerance
• Excessive sweating
• Rapid heart rate
• Fatigue
• Tremor
• Agitation, nervousness
• Weight loss
• Unusual bowel movements
• Irregular menstrual cycles
• Decreased concentration

If These Conditions Aren't Treated in a Proper Way Then it May Lead to Thyroid Storm Which Involves Unhealthy Body Conditions Like:

• Hypertension/High Blood Pressure
• Constant fever
• Heart failure
• Eye problems
• Skin ailments
• Delirium and confusion (mental health changes)

The Diagnosis Of Thyroid Diseases Includes

• Blood tests - Looking for specific antibodies like - anti-thyroglobulin, anti TPO, TSH receptor
• Imaging - Ultrasound and Radioiodine
• Biopsy - Providing tissue sample

Depending On The Intensity and The Kind Of Thyroid Condition One Can Undergo The Following Treatments:

• Medications - Mostly used in case of hyperthyroidism to regulate the excessive production of thyroid hormones. In case of hypothyroidism medication is done to replace the underproduction of thyroid hormone.
• Surgery - Mostly opted incase the thyroid gland is at the risk of getting affected by cancer, removing and nodule and also when the patient is finding it difficult to breath and swallow as a result of the compression of the airway by the gland.
• Radioactive Ablation - Mostly used to treat hyperthyroidism, radioactive ablation helps in regulating the overproduction of thyroid hormones. It also helps in treating certain cancer types related to the thyroid gland.