What are the Symptoms of Thyroid Problems in Females?
1. Goiter
There has been a recent increase in television stars diagnosed with thyroid issues after viewers have noticed they have goiters. A goiter is where the thyroid becomes inflamed and the lower neck appears more swollen. This can be a sign of hypo or hyper-function of the thyroid gland. Symptoms may include tightness in the throat, which may lead to difficulty swallowing or breathing, coughing, or hoarseness in the voice.
The first action you should take if you are concerned about a possible goiter is having a healthcare professional assess you and decide if an ultrasound and hormone level testing is warranted.
2. Hair Thinning
The thyroid hormone signals follicle stimulation for hair growth. Therefore, when thyroid hormones are low in the body, people will shed hair more on the scalp and the outer parts of their eyebrows.
3. Change in Weight or Energy
Being hypothyroid can cause slowing of the metabolism or basal metabolic rate and create unexplained weight gain. This weight gain is usually not a gradual change, but more recent/acute (i.e., gaining 15 to 30 pounds in a year) without changing your diet or exercise routine. The body starts the store more fat cells and uses less of it for energy production, thus making it harder to lose weight. The body normally uses food as its energy source, but when it starts to store your nutrients, people will notice a reduction in physical energy and become more fatigued than normal.
Hyperthyroidism can lead to the opposite problem and induce unexplained weight loss, because elevated hormone levels increase your metabolism/basal metabolic rate. Your body uses more of the food for everyday energy production. So, more calories are being burned and will sometimes leave people with a faster heartbeat and anxiety, which we will discuss as the next two symptoms.
4. Irregular Heartbeat/Cardiovascular Disease
Thyroid hormones also affect the heart and circulatory system. As wef just mentioned, an underactive thyroid can make your body hold onto more fat. This can then increase your cholesterol levels, leading to hardening and narrowing arteries and a slower heart rate. When cholesterol suddenly changes from one year to the next, your healthcare provider should also be checking your thyroid hormones. A hyperactive thyroid will increase the heart rate, sometimes leading to an irregular heartbeat like atrial fibrillation or higher blood pressure.
5. Change in Mood
With lower physical energy, a slower heart rate, and changes in appearance, hypothyroid patients will often feel more depressed and have lower motivation. Hyperthyroid patients, on the other hand, will often feel jittery and anxious because of their heart racing. Unfortunately, thyroid disorder symptoms often get dismissed as anxiety or age-related changes in female patients. For a more thorough assessment of your hormonal health, turn to our holistic primary care and family medicine practice for a more comprehensive approach that connects your thyroid to your heart, life, and wellness and attempts to identify the root cause of the issue. Contact CentreSpringMD today to learn more about our services or schedule an appointment.
