In this informative article, you will read the signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism in women.
In addition, you also read about subclinical hyperthyroidism, hyperthyroidism during pregnancy, diagnosis, and treatment of hyperthyroidism.
What is Hyperthyroidism?
Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland produces an increased amount of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4), leading to excessive hormone action on the target organs.
In most cases, the disease is caused by a disorder in the thyroid gland itself. Thyroid hormones increase general metabolism and promote growth and development.
The hormones also affect muscles, calcium, and phosphate balance and stimulate protein production (= protein biosynthesis) and the formation of the sugar storage substance glycogen.
Hyperthyroidism is a common disorder affecting the metabolic system. It is characterized by abnormal production of thyroid hormones.
This can have a number of potentially serious consequences in our bodies, such as changes to our endocrine glands.
For women, the impact is greater, as hormonal changes are constantly taking place. This is also an aspect that should not be overlooked.
 Signs And Symptoms Of Hyperthyroidism In Females:
Video credit: Natural Thyroid Treatment For Women
The following signs and symptoms may indicate hyperthyroidism in women (overactive thyroid gland):
 Hyperthyroidism symptoms checklist:
- Increase in body temperature → heat intolerance or hypersensitivity to heat (thermophobia)
- Sweating including night sweats.
- Moist warm skin
- Weight loss (despite increased appetite)
- Tachycardia – excessively fast heartbeat: > 100 beats per minute [cardiac output volume (HMV) ↑].
- systolic blood pressure increased pressure (blood pressure amplitude ).
Gastro-intestinal (gastrointestinal tract):
- Diarrhoea (diarrhoea)
- Weight loss (due to malabsorption)
Nervous system and psyche:
- Tremor (trembling)
- Insomnia (sleep disorders)
- Endocrine orbitopathy (EO; the bulge of the eyeballs); Symptoms: the sensation of a foreign body in the eye (in the eyes), sensitivity to light (photophobia), and increased tear formation [combination of hyperthyroidism + endocrine orbitopathy = Graves’ disease endocrine orbitopathy> 90% associated with Graves’ disease].
- Alopecia, diffusa (hair loss, diffuse).
- Dermopathy – skin changes similar to an orange peel, usually on the lower legs.
- Skin warm, moist and soft; soft turgor reminiscent of a baby’s skin.
- Palmar erythema – red discoloration of the palms.
- Pruritus (itching)
- Vitiligo (pigment loss usually covers larger areas than in idiopathic vitiligo).
For many patients, hypothyroidism is difficult to recognize. This is because the symptoms of this condition develop very slowly in the early stages.
However, there are several symptoms of possible hypothyroidism. Of course, these symptoms can always have a different cause. In any case, you will find the list below.
Sudden weight gain:
Your metabolism changes with hypothyroidism. This is because your thyroid gland suddenly starts to produce fewer hormones.
This can lead to sudden weight gain. Even if you have healthy eating habits, you may suddenly gain weight.
Hypothyroidism changes your metabolism. This is because your thyroid gland suddenly starts producing less hormones.
This can lead to sudden weight gain. Even if you have healthy eating habits, you may suddenly gain weight.
Hypothyroidism affects your blood circulation. The condition reduces your body’s ability to deliver oxygen. Therefore, it is normal to feel tired if you suffer from this disease.
A thyroid gland that does not work properly disrupts hormone production.
As a result, you may experience sudden mood swings. These in turn can lead to tension, depression, and irritability.
A thyroid gland that is not working properly disrupts hormone production. As a result, you may experience sudden mood swings. These in turn can lead to tension, depression, and irritability.
Hypothyroidism does not only affect your brain. The activity of your nervous system is also affected. Therefore, it is normal for sufferers to have difficulty concentrating.
Slow digestion or constipation can occur when your thyroid gland is not making enough hormones.
This is because this gland also influences your digestion. Proper functioning is necessary to remove waste products from the body.
Muscle pain is hard to spot as a symptom of an underlying thyroid problem.
Slower digestion or constipation can occur when your thyroid does not produce enough hormones. That’s because this gland also affects your digestion.
Proper functioning is necessary to remove waste products from the body.
However, it is important to remember that your muscles can be in a weakened state.
Sensitivity to cold:
When there is a change in the way your thyroid gland works, it can affect your periods. For example, you may experience very long or painful periods.
Do you recognize any of the above symptoms of possible hypothyroidism? And do you think you may be suffering from it?
If so, please contact your family doctor. He or she can then arrange for the relevant tests to be carried out. In this way, you will soon be certain.
 What causes hyperthyroidism?
Graves’ disease is the most common reason for hyperthyroidism.
It is an autoimmune disease. It causes antibodies to activate the thyroid gland, causing it to generate an excessive amount of hormone.
Graves’ illness affects women more than men. It appears to work in families, implying a hereditary link. If any of your family members have experienced the condition, you should tell your doctor.
Hyperthyroidism can also be caused by:
- Excess iodine, a major component of T4 and T3
- Thyroiditis, or thyroid gland inflammation, causes T4 and T3 to flow from the gland.
- Ovarian or testicular tumors
- Benign thyroid or pituitary gland tumors
- A big quantity of tetra
 Subclinical Hyperthyroidism:
In this case, the person should undergo a new examination within 2 to 6 months to confirm the need for medication, as it is usually not necessary to carry out treatment, reserve in case of symptoms.
 Hyperthyroidism During Pregnancy: The increase in thyroid hormones during pregnancy can cause complications in women such as eclampsia, abortion, premature birth, low birth weight, and heart failure.
Women who have normal values before becoming pregnant and who are diagnosed with hyperthyroidism from the beginning to the end of the first trimester of pregnancy do not normally need treatment, as it is normal for their T3 and T4 to rise slightly during pregnancy.
However, the doctor may prescribe drugs to normalise the T4 in the blood without causing complications to the baby
 Diagnosis Of Hyperthyroidism:
TSH First line examination
The cells of the anterior pituitary (which secrete TSH) are hypersensitive to thyroid hormone feedback, so much so that TSH levels correlate exponentially with free T4 levels.
Reduction in free T4 increases the
TSH. Joint testing is often redundant. TSH is much more sensitive and therefore much more informative than free T4.
Reference values: 0.3 to 4.2 mIU/l
Interpretation guidelines interpretation of primary hyper and hypothyroidism:
- < 0.10 Hyperthyroidism
- 0.1 – 0.4 Subclinical hyperthyroidism.
- 0.4 – 2.5 Euthyroidism
- 2.5 – 5 Doubtful, result to be checked
- 5 – 10 Subclinical hypothyroidism (crude)
- > 10 Hypothyroidism
(According to American Thyroid Association and NACB guidelines)
TSH reference values are slightly higher in elderly patients
in elderly patients (not well documented to date)
For the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism, the presence of the signs and symptoms of the patient must be observed, which is important to perform blood tests that indicate the functioning of the thyroid gland:
These tests should be carried out every 5 years from the age of 35, especially in women, but those at greater risk of developing the disease should be tested every 2 years.
Those most at risk for hyperthyroidism are women with thyroid problems, goiter, who are taking medications such as amiodarone, cytokines, and iodine-containing compounds, or who have diseases such as myasthenia gravis, type 1 diabetes, and primary adrenal insufficiency.
 Hyperthyroidism diet:
According to a number of studies, there are certain nutrients and plants that are very good for treating hyperthyroidism. We will show you which ones they are below.
Vegetables of the cruciferous family.
These foods contain high levels of chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid, which make iodine absorption more difficult.
Iodine absorption is the trigger for the development of hyperthyroidism. Where do you find these acids? You can find them in, among others:
- Brussels sprouts
So try to make many salads with these vegetables.
Especially radishes, according to many studies, regulate the production of hormones.
According to nutritionists, it is important to consume the following products to keep the thyroid gland in order:
- Soya beans
Recommended seeds and dried fruits.
It is recommended to extend your diet with, among others
- Pine nuts
These foods prevent the production of thyroxine (or T4).
Fruit and raw vegetables.
According to traditional Chinese medicine, raw food is more refreshing. It also contains more nutrients, which calms our thyroid gland.
That is why we recommend adding the following foods to salads, for example:
- Raw chilies
 Treatment for hyperthyroidism :
Treatment of hyperthyroidism in women.
After a thorough examination, your doctor will determine whether or not you have hyperthyroidism. The simplest examination is a blood test to determine your TSH level.
This will tell you whether you are in the early stages or more advanced. Medicine has come a long way in this area.
In addition to taking the right medication, a thyroid problem can also be solved with surgery.
The treatment of hyperthyroidism can be done by taking medicines such as Propylthiouracil and Metamizole, by using radioactive iodine, or by removing the thyroid gland through surgery.
The choice of treatment depends on the age of the person and the symptoms presented, as well as the ability to regulate the functioning of the thyroid gland with the use of drugs alone.
Removal of the thyroid gland is the last option if the symptoms do not disappear and it is not possible to regulate the thyroid gland by changing the dose of medication.
Undertreatment, the symptoms of the disease disappear and the patient returns to a normal life.
However, the patient must be monitored regularly to ensure that the treatment is well tolerated. The doctor checks that the thyroid hormone levels in the blood are stable and that there is no relapse.
If left untreated, hypothyroidism can lead to complications that can reveal the disease if not diagnosed early enough:
“If you think you may have hyperthyroidism, make an appointment with your doctor who may prescribe a blood test or ultrasound of the thyroid and then refer you to an endocrinologist if necessary.
Treatment for hyperthyroidism depends on the cause: the pituitary gland may be operated on, the hot nodule may be removed, or antithyroid drugs and thyroid hormones may be prescribed which must be taken for life in Graves’ disease.
In rare cases, it is also necessary to remove the thyroid gland. “
Please Note: As always, to be safe, be secure to speak with your physician for medical advice and treatment because they will know more about your individual condition. We are not doctors and this article is for informational purposes only.
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