It’s important to know the symptoms and signs to look for.  Your thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland in your neck that is very powerful.  It is responsible for your metabolism working properly and it is also the way that your body uses energy.  Additionally, it influences your heart rate, your body temperature, your bones, your digestion and your digestion system.  If your thyroid becomes out of balance, your health can be severely compromised.

Smiling woman

Because thyroid conditions are more common and frequent in women than men, it’s important that women understand the signs and symptoms to look for.  Symptoms of thyroid disease are often overlooked and will go undiagnosed.

There are several different types of thyroid disorders that both men and women can suffer from:

Underactive Thyroid (hypothyroidism)

This condition can occur at any age.  It tends to be more common as women get older, particularly after the age of 50.  Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid does not make enough of the thyroid hormone.  Symptoms may not be noticeable at first.  As the thyroid hormone levels drop, the metabolism will begin to suffer as well.  A woman who his having this problem will begin to feel weak and run down.  Other symptoms may arise, such as weight gain and constipation.

Overactive Thyroid (hyperthyroidism)

This is the most common type of thyroid condition in women.  It typically occurs in women between the ages of 20 and 40 years old.  This condition occurs when the thyroid makes too much of the thyroid hormone.  Rising hormones will cause the body to speed up, so to speak.  This will cause a woman to feel jittery or irritable, lose weight  without even trying to.  Sleep problems may also be part of having an overactive thyroid.

Thyroid Nodules

Sometimes, thyroid nodules will grow in the thyroid gland.  Nodules usually do not cause any additional symptoms.  A doctor can feel a thyroid nodule with a physical examination.  As the nodule grows, it may begin to feel like a lump in the neck.

How Do Thyroid Problems Affect Women

During puberty, hyperthyroidism can cause early menstruation, such as earlier than age 9.  It may also cause delayed menstruation and delayed growth.  Thyroid disorders also cause irregular or skipped periods, which can cause problems later on in life with getting pregnant.  During pregnancy, an untreated thyroid issue puts the mother-to-be at risk for raised blood pressure, anemia, miscarriage and low birth weight.  Some women also develop a thyroid problem after the delivery of a baby called postpartum thyroid dysfunction.  This condition causes fatigue, low mood, irritability and may be linked to postpartum depression.