The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland that wraps around the windpipe (trachea) below the Adam's apple in the lower part of the neck.
Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) happens when the body produces insufficient amounts of thyroid hormone. The opposite of hypothyroidism is hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), a condition in which excess thyroid hormone is produced which increases the body’s metabolism.
Symptoms of thyroid problems in females may include:
- Abnormally early or late puberty and menstruation onset
- Very light or very heavy menstrual periods
- Irregular menstrual periods
- Missed menstrual periods (amenorrhea)
- Lack of ovulation
- Increased risk of ovarian cyst development (hypothyroidism)
- Breast milk production (severe hypothyroidism)
- Pregnancy problems
- Increased risk of severe morning sickness (hyperthyroidism)
- Miscarriages
- Preterm delivery
- Stillbirth
- Postpartum hemorrhage
- Early onset of menopause (before age 40)
Symptoms that are similar to early menopause (hyperthyroidism)
- Lack of menstruation
- Hot flashes
- Insomnia
- Mood swings
Other symptoms of hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) may include:
- Fatigue/lethargy
- Loss of energy
- Weight gain
- Weakness in extremities
- Decreased appetite
- Constipation
- Sleepiness
- Muscle pain
- Joint pain
- Dry skin
- Hair loss
- Mood swings
- Depression
- Mental impairment
- Cold intolerance, needing to wear extra layers inside, cold feet and hands
- Impaired memory/forgetfulness
- Mental impairment
- Difficulty concentrating
- Fertility problems
- Menstrual disturbances
- Decreased sweating
- Numbness and tingling and nerve entrapment syndromes
- Decreased hearing
- Mood swings
- Feeling of fullness in the throat
- Hoarseness
- Nail problems
Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) may not cause any symptoms. When symptoms of hyperthyroidism occur, they may include:
- Diarrhea/frequent bowel movements
- Weight loss even with a normal or increased appetite
- Oily skin
- Anxiety
- Anger
- Irritability
- Trouble sleeping
- Sweating more than usual
- Heat intolerance
- Hot flashes
- Weakness
- Hand tremors
- Fast or uneven heartbeats
- Tiredness/fatigue
- Memory problems
- Vision changes
- Watery eyes
- Eye redness or dryness
- Difficulty closing the eyelids
- Bulging eyes (if hyperthyroidism is caused by Graves' disease)
- Swelling in the neck (goiter)
- Breast tissue growth in men
- Erectile dysfunction (impotence)
- Atrial fibrillation, chest pain, and rarely, heart failure if untreated
How Are Thyroid Problems in Females Diagnosed?
When a person is presenting some of the above symptoms and a thyroid problem is suspected, their doctor may prescribe various tests for a proper diagnosis. In addition to a patient history and physical examination, thyroid problems in females are diagnosed with blood tests.
Blood tests used to diagnose hypothyroidism include:
- Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
- Thyroxine (T4)
- Triiodothyronine (T3)
- Thyroid antibody tests
Other tests may include:
- Thyroid scan
- Other blood tests to help determine a cause of hyperthyroidism (such as Graves' disease, toxic nodular goiter, or thyroiditis)
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https://www.hormone.org/your-health-and-hormones/glands-and-hormones-a-to-z/hormones/thyroid-hormones
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/hypothyroidism-underactive-thyroid-the-basics?search=Hypothyroidism&source=search_result&selectedTitle=1~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=1 https://www.uptodate.com/contents/hyperthyroidism-overactive-thyroid-beyond-the-basics?search=Hyperthyroidism&topicRef=15437&source=see_link
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/thyroid-disorders-in-women