A big factor in women’s health is thyroid disease. Several activities in your body are regulated by the thyroid hormone, thyroxine, including how fast your heart beats and how fast you burn calories. Your thyroid also releases the thyroid hormone, and thyroid diseases result in your thyroids producing too much or too little of it, which can make you feel worn and tired. Thyroid diseases also have an effect on weight loss and gain.
Women have more of a chance of getting thyroid diseases, particularly after pregnancy or during menopause. The kinds of thyroid diseases that tend to be found more in women than men are Hypothyroidism, Hyperthyroidism, Thyroiditis, Goiter, Thyroid Nodules and Thyroid Cancer
Hypothyroidism vs. Hyperthyroidism
Hypothyroidism grows slowly and often takes a couple of years to develop. Hypothyroidism is when your thyroid doesn’t produce enough of the thyroid hormone, thyroxine. The first signs are feeling tired and worn, but later on, you can experience symptoms such as weight gain, feeling depressed, muscle weakness and a slow heart rate.
The other thyroid disease is Hyperthyroidism, also known as an overactive thyroid, which is when your thyroid produces too much thyroxine. Your symptoms will appear slowly, but they include weight loss, feeling irritable, trembling in your hands, irregular heartbeat and an increase in your food intake.
Thyroid Disease Treatment
There are so many different kinds of treatment to choose from, depending on what thyroid disease you have. The treatments include but are not limited to:
• Thyroid hormone replacement
• Prescribed Medication
• Radioactive iodine
• Specialised surgery
How To Diagnose Thyroid Diseases
Along with a thorough medical history and physical examination from your doctor, thyroid diseases can be diagnosed from a variety of specialised tests. Blood tests can be done to measure the TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) levels, and in doing so can see if you have an overactive or underactive thyroid.
Amongst many others, you can also do a thyroid scan. This is achieved by drinking a liquid that contains radioactive iodine. A special camera is then used for imaging to see if there is a decrease or increase in iodine. If you suspect you might have something wrong with your thyroid, it is best to see your doctor and tell them your concerns. It is always best to catch thyroid diseases quickly to start treatment.