Thyroid dysfunction has every fifth Pole, but mostly women suffer from it. What are the symptoms of thyroid disease in women of different ages? How do thyroid disease affect their he alth and well-being?

In women, diseases of the thyroid gland disrupt the menstrual cycle, reduce fertility, hinder the termination of pregnancy, and cause birth defects of the fetus. They also have a negative effect on the appearance.

Thyroid dysfunctioncan occur at any stage of life, but women are particularly susceptible to them during adolescence, pregnancy, the first 6 months after childbirth, and after menopause. In these stages of life, therefore, special attention should be paid to the proper functioning of the thyroid gland . About 5 percent pregnant women develop hypothyroidism, the symptoms of which (weight gain, fatigue, swelling) are often confused with the undesirable symptoms of an altered condition. Hyperthyroidism is very rare in pregnant women.

Problems withthyroidalso appear in 16 percent. freshly baked mums. They usually occur in women suffering from autoimmune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes. Symptoms of thyroid dysfunction are sometimes difficult to recognize, because fatigue, insomnia, irritability, weight change, depression are attributed to the difficult period after childbirth. Symptoms of thyroid dysfunction (e.g. palpitations, heat, sweating, depressed mood) are also common in postmenopausal women. Every fifth woman over 60 has them.

Important

The thyroid glandis a gland that produces and secreteshormonesinto the bloodstream, located at the base of the neck. It resembles a butterfly with unfolded wings - it consists of two side lobes connected by a narrow strip of glandular tissue called the isthmus.Thyroidproduces three hormones: thyroxin (T4), triiodothyronine (T3) and calcitonin. It requires the right amount of iodine to synthesize them. The human body absorbs this element from food and air.

The impact of thyroid disease on women of all ages

  • Puberty- hyperthyroidism can accelerate it and cause the first menstruation in the age of 9, while hypothyroidism - delay puberty and stop growth.
  • Menstruation- hypothyroidismThe thyroid gland can cause heavy periods leading to anemia, while hyperthyroidism can cause scanty, infrequent bleeding, and even amenorrhea.
  • Fertility- hypothyroidism promotes the development of polycystic ovary syndrome, which results in anovulation, hindered implantation of a fertilized egg in the uterus, miscarriages. Hypothyroidism, in turn, can cause an overproduction of prolactin, a hormone that inhibits ovulation and disrupts the menstrual cycle.
  • Pregnancy- hypothyroidism increases the risk of miscarriage, premature birth, birth defects or mental retardation. In case of hyperthyroidism, apart from the increased risk of not conceiving a pregnancy, an increase in blood pressure may occur and the development of pre-eclampsia, threatening the life of the mother and the fetus, may occur. Hashimoto's disease can lead to miscarriage.
  • Appearance- hypothyroidism causes weight gain despite proper nutrition and physical activity. It also makes the hair thin, dry, brittle, brittle nails, and makes the skin thin, pale and dry. In hyperactivity, hair falls out excessively, nails are soft, skin is thin, delicate and moist.

Diseases of the thyroid glandmay take various forms and be associated with different ailments. Below we discuss the most commonthyroid disordersto:

Hypothyroidism (hypothyroidism)

The most common thyroid disease is hypothyroidism (hypothyroidism). In full-blown form, it affects 5-7 percent of adult women, and only 1 percent of men, in latent form - about 10 percent of the population. The latter form is accompanied by non-specific symptoms (e.g. memory impairment, chronic fatigue), and it doubles the risk of coronary heart disease.

Hypothyroidism is a disorder of the thyroid gland consisting in insufficient production of T3 and T4 hormones. The causes of this disease include iodine deficiency necessary for the production of thyroid hormones, genetic defects (a child may be born with or without an abnormally developed thyroid gland), autoimmune inflammation of this gland.

The level of thyroid-stimulating thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH, a hormone synthesized by the pituitary gland) in the blood is tested to confirm that an underactive thyroid is suspected. It may also be helpful to measure the concentration of the so-called Free fraction of thyroxine (fT4), the major product of the thyroid gland. Treatment is based on the administration of synthetic thyroid hormones and periodic monitoring of their serum levels. Medicines are usually taken for life. Proper treatment guarantees complete prevention of adverse effectsunderactive gland.

Hyperthyroidism (hyperthyroidism)

The disease on the opposite extreme is hyperthyroidism (hyperthyroidism). It occurs in 2 percent. adult Poles (in children 10-15 times less often). This thyroid disorder is the overproduction of the hormones T3 and T4. Usually its cause is autoimmune Graves' disease or hyperactive nodular goitre.Hyperthyroidismis diagnosed by detecting a decrease in TSH levels and an increase in the levels of fT3 and fT4. As in other thyroid diseases, the therapy is selected individually. It consists in taking drugs that inhibit the synthesis of hormones in the thyroid gland (thyreostatic drugs), sometimes by oral administration of radioactive iodine (131 I). In some cases, the gland may need to be surgically removed.

indifferent goiter

Another thyroid disease is a neutral, non-inflammatory enlargement of the thyroid gland while maintaining its normal function. Its cause is iodine deficiency, therefore, since 1997, obligatory iodization of table s alt was introduced in Poland. Neutral goiter is generally a cosmetic defect. Only when it is significant, it can cause shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness. In the diagnosis of this disease, in addition to examining the concentration of TSH, an ultrasound is performed to assess the size of the gland and detect nodular changes. Prevention and treatment of neutral goiter consists in providing the body with an adequate amount of iodine (e.g. in the form of tablets). Nodular nodular goiter in people over 40 usually requires only observation.

Thyroiditis

Another disease is thyroiditis. It can be caused by a bacterial, viral or fungal infection, or a result of an injury or a chronic autoimmune disease, i.e. Hashimoto's disease. It is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in women of childbearing age. In Hashimoto's disease, the immune system destroys thyroid cells. The diagnosis of this autoimmune disease is made possible by examining the concentration of thyroid hormones, anti-thyroid antibodies and ultrasound of the thyroid gland. It requires treatment in the event of a gland dysfunction. The most common therapy is the administration of levothyroxine (synthetic thyroxine) in the event of developing hypothyroidism.

Thyroid cancer

The most dangerous disease, thyroid cancer, is rare. It does not lead to hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism or their typical symptoms. Its symptoms include thyroid nodules, hoarseness, enlarged lymph nodes, and dysphagia. Cancer can be detected early by ultrasound and fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). The primary method of treatment is to have the thyroid gland and nodes removedlymph and supplementary treatment with radioactive iodine.

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