Hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Graves’ disease, pregnancy thyroid disorders, and thyroid cancer are thyroid-related diseases that often occur in women.
The thyroid gland is an important part of the endocrine system. It secretes hormones including thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3) and calcitonin, which greatly affect metabolism, energy metabolism, and the functioning of many organs in the body. For women, thyroid hormone is closely related to puberty, ovulation, reproductive function, postpartum recovery and menopause.
Doctor Nguyen Thi Kim Tuyen, Department of Endocrinology – Diabetes, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, said thyroid disease is structural abnormalities or dysfunction of the thyroid gland, causing the amount of thyroid hormone secreted. more than or less than the body’s needs.
Differences in anatomical and physiological body structure are the main reasons why women are susceptible to thyroid diseases. Throughout their lives, women have to go through many hormonal changes, including puberty, menstrual cycles, pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause. “Women are 5-8 times more likely to have thyroid disease than men,” said Dr. Tuyen.
A doctor in the Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes checks the patient’s thyroid gland. Image: Tam Anh General Hospital
At menopause, women are at high risk of developing single or multinodular goiter, most of which are benign. Thyroid diseases are very diverse with many different symptoms. Below are some common diseases in women.
Hypothyroidism is a condition in which thyroid function declines, the amount of thyroid hormone secreted is less than the body’s needs. Women with hypothyroidism have difficulty getting pregnant because thyroid hormone deficiency causes ovulation disorders. This condition also increases the risk of developing ovarian cysts. Hypothyroidism can easily cause pregnant women to have miscarriages, stillbirths, and postpartum hemorrhage.
Patients may have symptoms of hypothyroidism such as unusual weight gain, frequent coldness, fatigue, depression, dry, thin skin and hair, slow heart rate, and menstrual disorders.
Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland is overactive, secreting more hormones than the body needs. Women with hyperthyroidism often have osteoporosis. Some symptoms of thyroid disease in women are easily confused with signs of menopause such as hot flashes, irritability… Other signs include unusual weight loss, often feeling hot, fast heart rate, and confusion. Menstruation, difficulty sleeping.
Graves’ disease (Basedow) is an autoimmune disorder that leads to excessive thyroid hormone production, commonly found in women under 40 years of age. This is the cause of hyperthyroidism (increased thyroid hormone production). The most prominent features of Graves’ disease are bulging eyes (common in women), diffuse goiter, and thick, rough skin on the lower legs. Other symptoms of the disease include weight loss, anxiety, irritability, difficulty sleeping, poor concentration, and digestive disorders.
Thyroid disorders during pregnancy causes the concentration of the hormone βhCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) in the pregnant woman’s body in the first trimester to increase, stimulating the thyroid gland to secrete more hormones and causing hyperthyroidism. In the following months of pregnancy, the βhCG hormone gradually stabilizes and thyroid function returns to normal.
Pregnant women with iodine deficiency are at high risk of developing goiter during pregnancy. At this time, the thyroid gland can increase in size by about 10-15% of normal. Pregnant mothers with thyroid disease have a high risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, fetal mental retardation, birth defects, congenital heart disease…
Thyroid cancer is a condition in which malignant (cancerous) cells develop from cells of the thyroid gland.
Dr. Tuyen said the incidence of thyroid cancer is increasing, women are three times more likely to get the disease than men. The disease is genetic, so people with a family history of thyroid disease are at higher risk. In addition, obesity or exposure to radiation are also risk factors for thyroid cancer.
Benign thyroid tumor is the most common thyroid disease in women. This is a benign disease, often progressing silently and without obvious symptoms, so it is difficult to detect. When the tumor grows large, compressing surrounding organs, the patient has difficulty breathing, swallowing, coughing a lot…
Thyroid disease in women not only affects health but also affects quality of life. Dr. Tuyen recommends that women over 20 years old and middle-aged women should be periodically screened for thyroid diseases to detect early, improve effectiveness and save treatment costs.