Thyroid disorders are often triggered by autoimmune responses, which occur when the body's immune system starts attacking its own cells. According to the American Thyroid Association (ATA), women are five to eight times more likely than men to develop thyroid disease. One in eight women will develop a thyroid disorder in their lifetime. The most common hormonal imbalance that I see clinically is the estrogen domain. It is a fact that women are more prone to thyroid malfunction than men, but the exact reason why is unknown.
Women experience a high flow of hormones during pregnancy and again in menopause, which puts them at risk of developing a thyroid condition. It is suspected that autoimmunity plays a role in the development of thyroid disease, as it is more commonly found in women than in men. Thyroid cancer symptoms in women don't usually occur early and are detected during a routine physical exam. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism can range from trouble falling asleep to sudden weight loss, irregular menstrual cycles, thinning skin, nails, and hair. Knowing the status of a woman's thyroid before and during pregnancy is crucial to achieving satisfactory pregnancy outcomes. It is important for women to understand their risk and how their symptoms may be related to their thyroid.
If a person has digestive problems, unexplained exhaustion, begins to lose muscle tone, experiences mood swings, or finds sudden changes in weight, one of the important checks that must be performed is thyroid function. There are certain supplements that can improve the thyroid, but there are others that can worsen it. The chances of developing thyroid disease increase with age, a factor that is common in both men and women, and autoimmunity and routine habits work together to amplify the risk of thyroid disease. Autoimmunity in relation to the thyroid glands produces special antibodies to destroy thyroid cells and cause autoimmune thyroiditis. When you're a patient suffering from a thyroid condition, it can feel like you're alone on the journey. Understanding your risk and how your symptoms may be related to your thyroid can help you get the needed help you need.
Women are more vulnerable to thyroid disease than men, but with proper knowledge and understanding of risk factors and symptoms, they can take steps towards prevention and treatment.
