People who have a parent or grandparent with an autoimmune disease also have an increased risk. Thyroid disease in women is an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid in women.
Shannyn Pearce DC (drshannyndc), Nighat Arif. Watch popular content from the following creators: risagrouxnutrition (risagrouxnutrition), J3ssdoit (j3ssd0it), thehealthyrevolutionary (thehealthyrevolutionary), drkylieburton (drkylieburton), Dr. While hypothyroidism is most common in women 50 or older, it can occur in anyone – man or woman – at any age. Discover short videos related to thyroid issues in women treatment on TikTok. Many body functions require the hormones produced by your thyroid gland. Hypothyroidism occurs when your thyroid gland is underactive or doesn’t produce enough hormones to meet the body’s needs. Underactive Thyroid Gland (Hypothyroidism) Learn more about hyperthyroidism in our health library Thyroid symptoms specific to womens health Changes in your period Theres a link between your thyroid and your monthly period. It is most common in women over the age of 20, but can occur in men too. Graves’ disease is an autoimmune condition where your own immune system triggers your thyroid to overproduce thyroid hormone. Graves’ disease is the leading cause of hyperthyroidism. When the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone, this is known as hyperthyroidism. Overactive Thyroid Gland (Hyperthyroidism) However, when symptoms are severe and do not improve on their own within a few months, you should be assessed by an endocrinologist. Many primary care physicians can diagnose and treat mild hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism and thyroiditis. If you believe that you are having symptoms, it's recommended that you come in for a screening. If a family member has thyroid disease, you have a higher chance of developing the disease at some point in your life. In most situations, the TSH test is the most accurate test for diagnosing both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. When thyroid hormone levels drop or rise, the pituitary gland responds by dropping or raising TSH. TSH is produced by the pituitary gland and helps regulate thyroid hormone production. To determine if you have a thyroid condition, your doctor may perform a physical exam, a thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) test and a radioactive iodine uptake or thyroid scan.ĭepending on results of TSH test, additional blood tests may be needed to check the levels of one or both of your T3 and T4 hormones. Pregnant women with undiagnosed hypothyroidism have an increased risk for preterm delivery, developmental problems (in baby), and miscarriage.ĭiagnosing thyroid disease can be tricky, as the symptoms associated with thyroid disease can overlap and be confused with many different health problems.Undiagnosed thyroid disease can increase risk for osteoporosis, infertility and cardiovascular disease.Approximately 20 million Americans currently have some form of thyroid disease.Women are 5-8 times more likely to have a thyroid problem.