Do you feel more tired and dragged down than ever? Are you suffering from hair loss or unnecessary weight gain? Do you also feel stressed and nervous more often? Your thyroid gland could be the reason behind it. There are thyroid symptoms in females that we could miss because they seem petty. However, early detection can do wonders. Thus, let's discuss all the different aspects of thyroid in females. Keep reading!
Our thyroid creates hormones that perform different functions in our body. These hormones are important for our body. Therefore, if the thyroid gland makes more or less of these hormones, it's a problem and leads to thyroid disease. When our thyroid isn't working properly, it impacts our entire body.
The thyroid hormones control our metabolism and keep it working at the right rate, too. More than 20 million people in the US suffer from thyroid disease, however, identifying the symptoms early can help us tackle it better. So, let's become more informed and learn all about the thyroid!
What is Thyroid?
For those of us who don't know, the thyroid gland is found in the front of your neck and is wrapped around the windpipe. Just like all other glands which release substances, the thyroid gland does too. The substances secreted by our thyroid gland perform special functions. It tells our body cells how much energy to use. Your metabolism will work at the right rate if your thyroid gland is working well.
Our thyroid gland is controlled by the pituitary gland, which monitors and controls the amount of thyroid hormones secreted in our body.
What is Meant by Thyroid Disease?
Whenever our thyroid glands secrete too much or too little hormone, it's dysfunctional and results in thyroid symptoms in females. This leads to the development of thyroid disease. For instance, if our body secretes too much of thyroid hormones, it makes us feel fatigued and results in us losing body weight without trying. This is called hyperthyroidism.
On the other hand, when our thyroid glands secrete fewer amounts of hormones, it results in us gaining weight and feeling more tired than usual. This is called hypothyroidism.
What Causes Thyroid in Females?
The main two types of thyroid in females are
- Hypothyroidism
- Hypothyroidism
Both these types of thyroid happen due to different reasons. Reasons for hypothyroidism are:
Hashimoto's Thyroiditis
In this condition, the cells of our body attack and damage the thyroid. This is an autoimmune condition and is usually inherited.
Postpartum Thyroiditis
This is a temporary condition, as a small percentage of pregnant women might face thyroid for some time.
Non-Functioning Thyroid Glands
Some of us are born with thyroid glands that don't work properly. If this is not diagnosed in childhood, then it could lead to mental and physical health issues later in life.
Iodine Deficiency
Not having enough iodine in your body can result in thyroid as well. There are several million people in the world who deal with thyroid due to an iodine deficiency.
Now, let's look at the cause of hyperthyroidism in females:
Graves Disease
Our entire thyroid gland might become overactive, and produce more hormones than required. As a result, we can get enlarged thyroid glands.
Nodules
Even when the nodules in our thyroid glands become overactive we can get the disease. This could be a single nodule or many nodules at once.
Excess Iodine
Too much iodine can also result in thyroid disease. We can sometimes intake excessive iodine in the form of heart medications or cough syrups too.
What are the Common Signs of Thyroid Problems in Women?
Identifying thyroid symptoms in females can help you diagnose it better. There are various ways in which one can tell that they might be having a thyroid disease. Some of the early signs include:
Weight Loss or Gain
A person might notice sudden weight fluctuations. For instance, in the case of hypothyroidism, there may be weight gain, whereas, in the case of hyperthyroidism, there is erratic weight loss. Out of the two hyperthyroidism is more common.
Neck Swell
One of the thyroid symptoms in females is that you may notice a swelling in the neck. The swelling is in the form of goiter and could also be because of the nodules in the thyroid gland or an unrelated cause. However, it's best to get the swelling checked.
Heart Rate Fluctuations
Thyroid diseases can affect our heartbeat too. People with hypothyroidism have slower heart rates, whereas people with hyperthyroidism have to deal with faster heartbeats. It can also cause higher blood pressure or pounding heart sensations.
Mood Swings
A person can feel energy changes and mood swings, which can make them feel sluggish. It can also lead to anxiety problems or depressive episodes. If you feel sudden mood swings change, then you must get yourself diagnosed.
Hair Loss
Sudden loss of hair in excessive amounts could be thyroid symptoms in females acting up. Thyroid hair loss in females is quite common but can go unnoticed, which is why it's important to keep a check.
Feeling Too Hot or Cold
If you get a thyroid disease, it can lead to you feeling irregular body temperatures. This is because the disease affects the regulation of body temperature. People with hypothyroidism feel cold, while those with hyperthyroidism feel hot.
How to Control Thyroid in Females?
With a few useful home remedies, you can keep your thyroid in control. Here are some of these natural remedies to try :
Eat with Mindfulness
Our thyroid gland connects our mind and body. Eating fast doesn't give our minds the time to register what we've eaten. But when we eat slowly and mindfully, we allow the thyroid glands to record what we ate and function properly too.
Vitamin B
Vitamin B can fight the causes of thyroid diseases and can especially help with hypothyroidism. Vitamin B12 is particularly useful and can be found in various food items like milk, fish, legumes, and more.
Yoga
Many yoga practices exist which can stimulate your endocrine system and fight thyroid symptoms in females. Moreover, physical movement helps in better oxygen supply too. This benefits the thyroid gland and helps in its better functioning.
Quit smoking
Nicotine found in cigarettes results in higher levels of iodine in the body. Thus, it increases thyroid disease, which is why it's best to avoid smoking.
Vitamin A
If you add Vitamin A to your daily routine, it can work wonders for you. The only thing you need to do is eat foods rich in Vitamin A such as carrots, eggs, spinach, apricots, and more.
Have Butter
Butter benefits our endocrine system. If you end up cutting down on other dairy products, make sure you still have butter. However, you can always check with your physician to be sure.
Also Read: Hair Loss Due To Thyroid: What's The Connection Between The Two?
Conclusion
As we've discussed above, thyroid symptoms in females are easy to identify and, if detected early, can be controlled as well. Hence, if you feel that you are going through any of the signs, don't hesitate to get yourself checked, especially so that you can heal faster and live a happier and healthier life.
If you're interested in reading more about women's care, lifestyle blogs, female empowerment, and more, head to The Voice of Woman blogs today!
