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7 Common Symptoms of Thyroid Problems in Females

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Only a few people know about the functioning of the thyroid gland, and more than 60 % of people are unaware of the early warning signs of this condition. Thus, it is essential to know about them. In addition, the dysfunction of the gland can have a wide range of effects on the body and can be present in various ways. Often symptoms can be overlooked in the early stages of thyroid disease. However, it is essential to know that thyroid symptoms in females can be more severe with time. These can cause life-threatening complications like coma and death. To prevent this, seek thyroid treatment and get a correct diagnosis. You can also read the blog to understand what are the symptoms of thyroid problems in females and how to treat them.

Why is the thyroid gland crucial?

what are the symptoms of thyroid problems in females

The thyroid gland is the small butterfly-like structure below the larynx or voice box at the back of the neck. This gland plays a vital role in many bodily processes as a critical part of the endocrine system, producing many essential hormones. This can help regulate metabolism and affect the overall body's cells. Thyroid issues are challenging to diagnose independently as they can be mistaken for many other healthcare conditions like menopause or cognitive problems. But, on the other hand, there can be sure signs that you should be aware of. They are mentioned below.

Also Read: What Do The Thyroid Symptoms Reveal About Your Overall Health?

What are the symptoms of thyroid problems in females?

what are the symptoms of thyroid problems in females

These signs can be the problem or the beginning of the problem; thus, it is essential to get an idea about the condition from a registered practitioner.

1. Fatigue or Tiredness

  • Fatigue in the case of thyroid issues is different from tiredness in regular activities.
  • While the tiredness related to regular activities can be relieved by taking a night's work off and resting; this tiredness lingers on.
  • It can be pretty standard in middle-aged women with menopause symptoms even after taking estrogen hormones.

2. Excessive Weight Gain

  • The thyroid gland's primary function is maintaining weight as it regulates metabolism.
  • People with thyroid can have metabolic problems that lead to excessive weight gain without overeating food.
  • One of the earliest ways to test thyroid disorders is to measure the patient's basal metabolic rate, which determines their ability to burn fat in a certain period.
  • If you are experiencing excessive weight gain, it can be due to hypothyroidism and can add ten extra pounds of weight to the body.
  • Weight gain can be due to excess water and salt retention.

3. Excessive Weight Loss

  • Problems with the thyroid are not limited to weight gain but can also lead to excessive weight loss. This hyperthyroidism condition can result in much higher than normal BMR ranges.
  • An extremely overactive thyroid can consume more calories, and failure to meet new caloric requirements can lead to weight loss.
  • This condition can increase appetite and gain weight despite an overactive thyroid gland.
  • Apart from the gland's functioning, your weight gain depends mainly on the food you consume and the calories you burn.

Also Read: 13 Benefits of Oatmeal For Weight Loss: How to use it

4. Slow Heart Rate

  • The health of the thyroid gland can be related to cardiac health, and an insufficient amount of thyroid hormone can lead to a slower heart rate.
  • This can also affect the heartbeat.
  • Over time, heart rate can cause the arteries to lose their elasticity, resulting in higher blood pressure problems that can take up more work for the blood to circulate. Higher cholesterol levels can lead to hypothyroidism symptoms in females.

5. Increased Heart Rate

  • Hyperthyroid conditions increase the heart rate and can be related to the slowing down of the thyroid hormone. It can experience a faster and more complex heartbeat at varying times.
  • Irregular heartbeats and pulses can be standard as hypothyroidism can develop due to high blood pressure and arteries that can be clogged due to stiffness.

Also Rate: What Should Your Normal Resting Heart Rate Really Be?

6. Sensitivity to Heat

  • Sensitivity to heat is a common early sign for people with an overactive thyroid. Mentioned weight loss and hyperthyroidism can cause the metabolism to go into overdrive and consume more calories.
  • This does not affect weight only but can also cause the body to produce more heat.
  • Heat sensitivity or heat tolerance can be an unusual way for the body to deal with the sensitivity to heat, feel hot, and other comfortable feelings or even cold.
  • This can cause people with hyperthyroidism to experience abnormal sweating and even anxiety due to the feeling of heat.

7. Sensitivity to Cold

  • People with hypothyroidism can be experienced when one has cold hands or feet and can even occur in rooms where everyone feels hot.
  • This happens when the body is not producing enough hormones and can cause the metabolism to slow.
  • Hypothyroidism can impede the body's ability to create energy that can help keep the natural ear and can result in becoming extremely sensitive to cold temperatures.

This disorder can affect various ways in opposite ways and can depend on the type of disorder. This can also be seen in the energy levels, weight, heart rate, and cold and hot reactions. While these symptoms may suggest a thyroid issue, it will be better not to diagnose it yourself or get help from a medical provider.

Also Read: Hyperthyroidism & Hypothyroidism Diet- What To Eat & Avoid

How to treat thyroid-related issues?

Once you know what are the symptoms of thyroid problems in females, you can suspect experiencing thyroid issues. These are likely concerns and can be dealt with by medication and surgery in severe cases.

Medications

Medications can be the available prescriptions and can deal with hyper and hypothyroidism. These can be taken daily in pills, capsules and other conditions like injections.

Surgery

Surgery can help with the symptoms of thyroid dysfunction and can relieve severe cases of the thyroid. This surgery can also help with resistance to medication and can create medical difficulty. Following this medication can alleviate thyroid dysfunction.

Also Read: Understanding the Risks of Thyroid on Pregnancy

Conclusion

Thyroid and thyroid dysfunction can be associated with several early signs and symptoms that can help you diagnose the condition before it starts. Read the blog carefully to know what are the symptoms of thyroid problems in females. These signs can be extreme tiredness, weight loss, weight gain, faster heartbeat, and different cases of extreme cold and hot situations. So, if you can observe these early signs of thyroid problems, you should look for different medications and treatments that can help with thyroid functioning. If the severity of the condition is too much, then you should contact your doctor.

Also Read: When to worry about thyroid nodules - Symptoms and Treatments

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the different signs of thyroid problems?

The signs of thyroid problems can be fatigue, weight gain, weight loss, slower heart rate, increased heart rate, and sensitivity to cold and heat.

How does the body feel when you have thyroid problems?

Thyroid disorders can be noticed with early signs like tiredness, sluggishness, depression and anxiety, stress-related problems, sleeping, restlessness, and irritability.

What is the food that you should eat for thyroid problems?

It would be best if you ate sprouts, Brussels, cabbages, cauliflower, kale, turnips, or other green leafy vegetables. These can help digest these vegetables and are essential for the thyroid gland to function properly.

At what age can the problems related to the thyroid begin?

Problems related to the thyroid can begin from 20 to 40 years of age and can be ten times more common in females than males. An overactive thyroid can affect anyone and can be unpleasant or potentially abusive.

How to check the thyroid at home?

The thyroid gland can swell during its dysfunction, so you can check this by drinking a glass of water slowly and looking for protrusion in the neck.