Health Tips for Women

Underactive Thyroid Symptoms in Females

February 8, 2022

Thyroid disease, otherwise known as hypothyroidism or an underactive thyroid, is something that can impact anyone, but is harder to diagnose in women. It is important to know and lookout for underactive thyroid symptoms in females for that reason.

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The thyroid is a gland located in front of the neck responsible for producing and releasing hormones. One of its most important functions is to regulate the metabolic rate.

Metabolism is the process where the food a person ingests is converted into energy which is used to keep many of the body's systems working correctly throughout the day. Therefore, when the thyroid is not working properly, it can cause health problems ranging from mild to severe.

Thyroid disease is a general medical term when the thyroid gland fails to produce the right amount of hormones. When the gland makes too few hormones, the specific condition is called hypothyroidism.

Thyroid disease, or an underactive thyroid is harder to diagnose for women than men. Therefore, it is important to know underactive thyroid symptoms in females so we’ve outlined some of these below.

What Is Hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism, also referred to as underactive thyroid, is an illness that develops when the thyroid gland is not making enough hormones to meet the body's needs. Conditions that lead to hypothyroidism include:

Autoimmune disease: The most common cause of hypothyroidism is an autoimmune disease called Hashimoto's, which makes antibodies attack thyroid cells as if they were bacteria.
Thyroid surgery: Having a part of the thyroid gland removed can lower the gland's ability to produce hormones.
Thyroiditis: An thyroid gland inflammation can cause hormone production irregularities.
Radiation therapy: Radiation used to target cancers in the head or neck can affect the thyroid gland.
Medicine: Some medications, like lithium, can cause the thyroid gland to produce fewer hormones.

How Does an Underactive Thyroid Affect Lives

Anyone can develop thyroid disease, but women are more at risk than men. This condition in females is more challenging to diagnose since its symptoms are often confused with period, pregnancy or menopausal symptoms. In addition, the symptoms develop slowly, and most women only realize they have a medical problem several years later.

Common Underactive Thyroid Symptoms in Females

The only accurate way to diagnose an underactive thyroid is to have a thyroid function test, where a blood sample is tested to measure hormone levels. Therefore, to prevent lasting health problems due to this condition, patients need to see a doctor and get tested as soon as they see any of the following underactive thyroid symptoms in females:

Fatigue

Unusual tiredness is a common symptom of hypothyroidism, but unfortunately, this is also a telling sign of an upcoming period. For this reason, it is difficult to determine whether the fatigue is due to thyroid disease or hormonal changes in a woman's monthly cycle.

According to a study on people diagnosed with an underactive thyroid disorder, 40 percent of patients feel tired all the time, which worsens as the disease progresses. This is because when the thyroid hormone level is too low, the metabolism slows, causing the body to produce less energy than the body can use.

Weight Gain

One of the most prevalent underactive thyroid symptoms in females is weight gain, which can vary from person to person. Most gain five to ten pounds, but some can experience a 10 percent increase in body mass. The weight gain has more to do with the body retaining salt and water than from increased fat. This means that it should be easier to lose the weight as soon as the patient takes the prescribed medication.

Muscle Aches and Joint Pain

An underactive thyroid can lead to hypothyroid myopathy, which causes muscle stiffness, pain and cramps. Aside from regulating the body's metabolism, the thyroid is also responsible for muscle development and growth. Therefore, when the gland produces fewer hormones, it can cause the patient to experience weakness in the muscles close to the center of the body, particularly in the thighs, shoulders and hips.

Dry Skin

Changes in the skin are among the most common underactive thyroid symptoms in females. Several skin manifestations of thyroid dysfunction include drying and scaling on the arms, legs, palms and soles.

Extreme, untreated cases can lead to facial swelling, including the eyelids, lips and tongue. In addition, it also leads to the thickening of skin anywhere on your body, particularly in the lower legs. This condition is called myxedema and is considered a medical emergency. If a patient's hypothyroidism has already reached this level of severity, they should seek treatment as soon as possible.

Infertility

The thyroid gland is also responsible for developing ovarian, placental and uterine tissues. Therefore, an underproduction of thyroid hormones can lead to infertility in women. According to one study, 24 percent of women who had trouble conceiving were discovered to have low thyroid levels.

Hypothyroidism has a significant impact on a woman's fertility. The condition prevents regular ovulation, causes irregular menstrual cycles and increases the risk of miscarriage. Thankfully, proper treatment can help cure these effects. A study discovered that 75 percent of women who have trouble conceiving got pregnant within a year after taking appropriate medication that normalizes their thyroid hormone levels.

Depression

The level of hormones, including those produced by the thyroid gland, can be a strong risk factor for depression. A recent study has found that individuals with an underactive thyroid are more likely to develop depression compared to those with a normal thyroid gland. Both disorders have very similar symptoms, including low energy, brain fog and slow memory. However, one condition can exist without the other, so it is still imperative to consult the doctor to have a proper diagnosis.

Treating an Underactive Thyroid

Hypothyroidism is treated with hormone replacement medication called levothyroxine, which needs to be taken daily. This prescribed drug will effectively normalize the thyroid hormones, eliminating hypothyroidism symptoms. Patients will notice positive health effects one to two weeks after starting the treatment, which will most likely be lifelong. However, taking this medication is essential so patients can live normally and prevent life-threatening complications.

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