Thyroid symptoms in female

Enlarged thyroid Widespread enlargement of the thyroid can expand the gland well beyond its typical size (left) and cause a noticeable bulge in the neck (right). A goiter (GOI-tur) is the irregular growth of the thyroid gland. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the neck just below the Adam's apple. A goiter may be an overall enlargement of the thyroid, or it may be the result of irregular cell growth that forms one or more lumps (nodules) in the thyroid. A goiter may be associated with no change in thyroid function or with an increase or decrease in thyroid hormones. The most common cause of goiters worldwide is a lack of iodine in the diet. In the United States, where the use of iodized salt is common, goiters are caused by conditions that change thyroid function or factors that affect thyroid growth. Treatment depends on the cause of the goiter, symptoms, and complications resulting from the goiter. Small goiters that aren't noticeable and don't cause problems usually don't need treatment. Symptoms Most people with goiters have no signs or symptoms other than a swelling at the base of the neck. In many cases, the goiter is small enough that it's only discovered during a routine medical exam or an imaging test for another condition. Other signs or symptoms depend on whether thyroid function changes, how quickly the goiter grows and whether it obstructs breathing. Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) Signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism include:...

Your thyroid creates and produces hormones that play a role in many different systems throughout your body. When your thyroid makes either too much or too little of these important hormones, it’s called a thyroid disease. There are several different types of thyroid disease, including hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, thyroiditis and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Overview What is the thyroid? The thyroid gland is a small organ that’s located in the front of the neck, wrapped around the windpipe (trachea). It’s shaped like a butterfly, smaller in the middle with two wide wings that extend around the side of your throat. The thyroid is a gland. You have glands throughout your body, where they create and release substances that help your body do a specific thing. Your thyroid makes hormones that help control many vital functions of your body. When your thyroid doesn’t work properly, it can impact your entire body. If your body makes too much thyroid hormone, you can develop a condition called What does the thyroid do? Your thyroid has an important job to do within your body — releasing and controlling thyroid hormones that control metabolism. Metabolism is a process where the food you take into your body is transformed into energy. This energy is used throughout your entire body to keep many of your body’s systems working correctly. Think of your metabolism as a generator. It takes in raw energy and uses it to power something bigger. The thyroid controls your metabolism with a few ...

Share on Pinterest Getty Images/Halfdark Your thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of your neck just below the center of your throat. It’s part of an intricate network of glands called the endocrine system. Your endocrine system is responsible for coordinating many of your body’s activities. Your thyroid gland manufactures hormones that regulate your body’s Several different problems can arise when your thyroid produces too much hormone (hyperthyroidism) or not enough (hypothyroidism). When your thyroid is underproducing or overproducing, it can cause bothersome symptoms such as irritability, fatigue, weight loss, weight gain, and more. Four common issues associated with the In Hyperthyroidism affects between Graves’ disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism, affecting about Hyperthyroidism can also be caused by: • thyroid gland inflammation • too much iodine intake • taking too much thyroid hormone medication • overactive thyroid nodules, also known as toxic nodular goiter or multinodular goiter • noncancerous pituitary gland tumor Hyperthyroidism symptoms Excessive thyroid hormone production may lead to symptoms that can include: • • • racing heart rate • • • shaking • • • • brittle • • • increased appetite • frequent bowel movements • Hyperthyroidism diagnosis and treatment A doctor or healthcare professional can diagnose hyperthyroidism by running tests that measure your levels of thyroid hormone or how effectively your thyroid is wo...

Thyroid gland The thyroid gland is located at the base of the neck, just below the Adam's apple. Graves' disease is an immune system disorder that results in the overproduction of thyroid hormones (hyperthyroidism). Although a number of disorders may result in hyperthyroidism, Graves' disease is a common cause. Thyroid hormones affect many body systems, so signs and symptoms of Graves' disease can be wide ranging. Although Graves' disease may affect anyone, it's more common among women and in people younger than age 40. Enlarged thyroid Widespread enlargement of the thyroid can expand the gland well beyond its typical size (left) and cause a noticeable bulge in the neck (right). Common signs and symptoms of Graves' disease include: • Anxiety and irritability • A fine tremor of the hands or fingers • Heat sensitivity and an increase in perspiration or warm, moist skin • Weight loss, despite normal eating habits • Enlargement of the thyroid gland (goiter) • Change in menstrual cycles • Erectile dysfunction or reduced libido • Frequent bowel movements • Bulging eyes (Graves' ophthalmopathy) • Fatigue • Thick, red skin usually on the shins or tops of the feet (Graves' dermopathy) • Rapid or irregular heartbeat (palpitations) • Sleep disturbance Graves' ophthalmopathy Graves' ophthalmopathy Graves' ophthalmopathy signs and symptoms include bulging eyes, redness and retracting eyelids. About 30% of people with Graves' disease show some signs and symptoms of Graves' ophthalmopath...

Clinical hypothyroidism affects one in 300 people in the United States, with a higher prevalence among female and older patients. Symptoms range from minimal to life-threatening (myxedema coma); more common symptoms include cold intolerance, fatigue, weight gain, dry skin, constipation, and voice changes. The signs and symptoms that suggest thyroid dysfunction are nonspecific and nondiagnostic, especially early in disease presentation; therefore, a diagnosis is based on blood levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone and free thyroxine. There is no evidence that population screening is beneficial. Symptom relief and normalized thyroid-stimulating hormone levels are achieved with levothyroxine replacement therapy, started at 1.5 to 1.8 mcg per kg per day. Adding triiodothyronine is not recommended, even in patients with persistent symptoms and normal levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone. Patients older than 60 years or with known or suspected ischemic heart disease should start at a lower dosage of levothyroxine (12.5 to 50 mcg per day). Women with hypothyroidism who become pregnant should increase their weekly dosage by 30% up to nine doses per week (i.e., take one extra dose twice per week), followed by monthly evaluation and management. Patients with persistent symptoms after adequate levothyroxine dosing should be reassessed for other causes or the need for referral. Early recognition of myxedema coma and appropriate treatment is essential. Most patients with subclinical h...

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Hypothyroidism occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormones. The Thyroid hormones help control functions including Also called underactive thyroid, hypothyroidism usually affects people over the age of 60 and is more common in women than men. It may be discovered through a routine blood test or after symptoms begin. If you’ve recently received a hypothyroidism diagnosis, it’s important to know that treatment is considered simple, safe, and effective. Most treatments rely on supplementing your low hormone levels with artificial hormones. These hormones will replace what your body isn’t producing on its own and help return your body’s functions to normal. Hypothyroidism vs. hyperthyroidism The greater amount of thyroid hormone causes some functions in your body to become faster, like your heart rate. You may also experience weight loss and difficulty sleeping. Hyperthyroidism is less common than hypothyroidism. It affects around Medications, radioiodine therapy, and surgery may be used to treat hyperthyroidism. The Early symptoms can include As a result, you may not realize that these changes are related to your thyroid until more symptoms appear. For instance, these may include skin changes associated with hypothyroidism, like scaly, rough, and dry skin and fragile nails. In general, the most common signs and • • • • • • • • • • • • • muscle • For most people, symptoms of the condition progress gradually over many years. As the thyroid slows more and more, ...

DEFINITION: WHAT DO THE FOLLOWING PATIENTS OVER THE AGE OF 60 YEARS HAVE IN COMMON? • A 72 year old woman with “fluttering of the heart” and vague chest discomfort on climbing stairs • An 80 year old man with severe constipation who falls asleep often • A 65 year old woman who has lost strength in her legs, causing difficulty in climbing stairs;she has recently lost 15 lbs in spite of a very good appetite • A 75 year old woman who has developed difficulty swallowing and a dry cough, accompanied by hoarseness, weight gain, and dry, itchy skin • A 78 year old man with hearing loss • An 84 year old woman in whom a hand tremor has caused her to give up favorite activities. She is so depressed that she will not eat, and she has lost 12 lbs in the last 4 months. All of these patients have abnormal function of their thyroid glands. Patients 1, 3 and 6 have hyperthyroidism, that is, excessive production of thyroid hormone by their thyroid glands. Patients 2, 4 and 5 have hypothyroidism, or reduced production of thyroid hormone. While some of the symptoms of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism are similar to those in younger patients, it is not uncommon for both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism to be manifest in subtle ways in older patients, often masquerading as diseases of the bowel or heart or a disorder of the nervous system. An important clue to the presence of thyroid disease in an elderly patient is a history of thyroid disease in another close family member such as a brot...

Not everyone with thyroid disease will have these changes. You can have an underactive thyroid and still lose weight or be underweight. You can have an overactive thyroid and find that you can't lose weight, even with a healthy diet and exercise. Temperature Both forms of thyroid disease can make you sensitive to temperature. • Low cholesterol: Your cholesterol may stay too low despite your diet, weight, and exercise. • Graves’ ophthalmopathy: The most notable symptom is bulging eyes. Your eyes may not be completely covered when your eyelids close. • Rashes: Hyperthyroidism and Graves' disease can cause pretibial myxedema. It's also known as thyroid dermopathy. The skin on your shins may swell and turn red. In some cases, a bumpy rash known as miliaria can also appear on the face. • Neuropathy: Low levels of thyroid hormones can lead to nerve damage. You might feel tingling and numbness in your hands and feet. A painful condition known as • Trouble conceiving a baby: Even a mildly underactive thyroid can affect ovulation, the release of an egg each month. It can also keep an embryo from implanting in the uterus. • A Word From Verywell Your thyroid produces hormones that affect many different organs and functions in your body. The symptoms differ depending on whether your thyroid is overactive or underactive. Contact your healthcare provider about thyroid symptoms as soon as possible for an accurate diagnosis and treatment. • Department of Health and Human Services. Office ...

The thyroid is a gland that creates and releases hormones into the body. This gland wraps around the trachea and forms a butterfly shape. When the thyroid gland is not functioning properly, you can experience a number of health issues. Thyroid issues affect more women than men. On average, one in eight women will develop a What Does Your Thyroid Do? The thyroid gland produces hormones that control your metabolism. Your metabolism affects how the body converts food into energy. This energy is used to fuel the body to help maintain good health. If your thyroid is not functioning properly, you can experience What Impacts Your Thyroid Health? There are several different things that can affect your thyroid health. • Nutrition – Nutritional deficiencies, especially an • Autoimmune Disorders – • Thyroid Nodules – Thyroid nodules, also known as goiters, occur when the thyroid gland cannot produce enough thyroid hormones. • Infections and Toxicities – Exposure to radiation, • Food Sensitivities – • Hormones – • Symptoms of Thyroid Problems in Females The following five conditions can be problematic in women with Cardiovascular Problems Did you know that your thyroid can impact your heart and circulatory health? An underactive thyroid can cause you to store more fat, which can lead to high cholesterol levels. When your d levels checked. An overactive thyroid can increase your heart rate. When this occurs, you can experience several cardiovascular issues, including high blood pressur...