Understanding Hypothyroid Symptoms in Women
The purpose of this article is to help you in understanding hypothyroid symptoms in women. Hypothyroidism is is another name for an under active thyroid and can have a profound effect on the metabolic systems of the body. This is because the thyroid is responsible for almost every metabolic process the body needs to convert energy from food and the trigger that makes certain enzymes and hormones do their job. Although hypothyroidism can occur in anyone at any age, including small children and men, the majority of people who develop this condition are female and middle-aged.
This presents a unique problem when attempting to isolate hypothyroid symptoms in women, because this is also the time when menopause can occur, and many of the hypothyroid symptoms in women also correspond to the symptoms of menopause. Further complicating the picture is the fact hypothyroid symptoms, like menopause, don’t happen all at once. Rather, they start slow and develop over time, reflecting the declining function of the thyroid. Sometimes, the hypothyroidism symptoms remain undetected in patients for years.
The Major Hypothyroid Symptoms in Women are as follows:
*fatigue
*sluggishness
increased sensitivity to cold temperatures
*constipation
*pale, dry skin
puffiness in the face
hoarse voice
elevated blood cholesterol levels
*weight gain
muscle aches, tenderness and stiffness
*pain, stiffness or swelling in the joints
muscle weakness
*heavier than normal menstrual periods
*depression
*hair loss
The starred symptoms represent the symptoms exhibited during menopause. It is evident the two conditions have symptoms that mimic each other, and while menopause normally does not need any medical intervention, hypothyroidism does and without treatment can have a significant effect on a woman’s overall heath and the quality of daily life.
Other conditions or illnesses that may mask the hypothyroid symptoms in women include rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and other autoimmune diseases. Since the thyroid plays an integral role in regulating many of the body’s metabolic processes, it is important to get a proper and accurate diagnosis in order to start treatment. Unfortunately, there is no cure for hypothyroidism. Treatment is designed to minimize the hypothyroid symptoms in women by taking thyroid hormones, and this treatment will need to be taken daily for the rest of your life.
Additional Treatment Options to Alleviate Hypothyroid Symptoms in Women
Other treatment options include dietary changes, nutritional supplements and exercise. Sometimes, with a combination of factors, the need for thyroid medication can be lowered. In any case, the blood levels of the hormones produced by the thyroid to include T3, T4 and TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone, produced by the pituitary gland) will have to be tested on a regular basis. This means regular visits to your doctor for these blood tests.
In spite of the debilitating nature of the hypothyroid symptoms in women, it is possible for people with this condition to live very full, active and normal lives with the right diagnosis and proper treatment. If you happen to be a woman approaching middle age and experiencing a number of symptoms on the above list, it is a good idea to have your doctor test you for hypothyroidism. It is estimated almost 50% of women over the age of 50 have at least a mild form of this condition, but these hypothyroid symptoms in women can be easily managed if the underlying cause is identified.
