Struggling with Thyroid Issues? How Does It Affect Women's Health?

Let’s first understand what the thyroid is. The thyroid is a small gland in our neck. It releases two important hormones: thyroxine and triiodothyronine. These hormones help control things like our metabolism, energy, weight, heart rate, and even our mood.

When this gland is working properly, we don’t face any issues. But if something goes wrong, like if it starts producing too much or too little of these hormones, then the body can experience various problems.

Now, let’s talk about the problems related to the thyroid and their symptoms.

There are two main thyroid problems:

Hyperthyroidism (Thyroid becoming too active)

When the thyroid starts producing too many hormones, it causes the body’s energy levels to rise. This is known as hyperthyroidism.

What are the symptoms of hyperthyroidism?

Some common signs include:

• Excessive sweating
• Rapid heart rate
• Sudden weight loss
• Feeling restless or anxious

Now, let’s talk about the second problem, which is Hypothyroidism.

Hypothyroidism (Thyroid becoming less active)

When the body doesn’t have enough thyroid hormones, the metabolism slows down. This is called hypothyroidism.

What are the symptoms of hypothyroidism?

If someone has this problem, they might experience things like:

• Feeling extremely tired
• Gaining weight
• Feeling sad or depressed

Now, you might be wondering what to do if you have thyroid problems.

If you have hyperthyroidism, doctors might give you medication to control the hormone production. If the problem is more severe, they might suggest treatments like radioactive iodine or even surgery.

For hypothyroidism, doctors usually recommend thyroid hormone replacement therapy. This is a medication that helps replace the missing thyroid hormone in your body.

How can we prevent thyroid problems?

To avoid thyroid issues, keep a few things in mind:

• Use iodized salt in your food.
• Follow a healthy lifestyle, exercise regularly, eat a balanced diet, and try to reduce stress.

If you notice any symptoms, make sure to consult a doctor right away.

Source:- 1. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/endocrine-diseases/hypothyroidism 

2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK500006/ 

3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519536/ 

4. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/underactive-thyroid-hypothyroidism/ 

5. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/overactive-thyroid-hyperthyroidism/