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Extensive Thyroid in Women: Things Women Need to Know!

Thyroid gland aids in regulating metabolism and energy. However, its disorders can put adverse effects on the body thereby affecting body weight emotional and cognitive health, reproductive and cardiac health as well as mental health. It can take a toll on women’s health and can give rise to problems that are difficult to point.

What Is Thyroid Disorder?

A thyroid disorder is a condition that affects a butterfly-shaped thyroid gland that is situated in front of the neck. It’s one of the essential components of the endocrine system featuring two lobe-like structure placed on both sides of the trachea.

Primarily, the main function of a thyroid gland is to curb iodine content in the body thereby converting it into the T3 and T4 thyroid hormones. T3 is the triiodothyronine hormone, and T4 is Thyroxine with T4 being the most dominant, important and inactive hormone which can be detected by extensive thyroid test.

These hormones aid in maintaining the metabolic level in the body, offering the required calcium level to the body and for regulating the body temperature.

Types of Thyroid Disorders:

Some of the most common types of thyroid disorders are:

Hyperthyroidism:

It means producing excessive thyroid hormones which occur due to increased metabolism. Hyperthyroidism is caused due to excessive iodine consumption and thyroid nodules called hot modules that overexpress the production of these hormones. Grave’s disease and multinodular goiter are also the prime cause of hyperthyroidism.

Some of the most common types of symptoms of hyperthyroidism are:

  • Nervousness
  • Tremor
  • Fatigue
  • Increased sweating
  • Heat intolerance
  • Unexpected weight loss

Hypothyroidism:

This occurs when the thyroid gland fails to produce the insufficient thyroid hormone. Hyperthyroidism result due to the problems that occur between the pituitary gland, thyroid gland or hypothalamus. It occurs due to the inflammation of thyroid glands like acute thyroiditis and postpartum thyroiditis.

Some of the common symptoms related to hyperthyroidism are:

  • Dry skin
  • Feeling cold
  • Fluid retention
  • Depression
  • Muscle and joint paint
  • Constipation
  • Fatigue

Thyroid Nodules:

Nodules are nothing but the lumps or the abnormal mass in the thyroid.  They are either single or multiple and comes in various sizes.

Moreover, if they are large, they can cause problems that are related to the compression. However, benign cysts and tumors are the prime cause of nodules.

Goiter:

Goiter is the situation where the thyroid gland rises irrespective of the cause. Although goiter is not a specific disease, it is associated with hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism or normal thyroid functioning.

Thyroid Cancer:

Depending upon the cell type that the thyroid has, thyroid cancer is of different types and is most common among young men and women. While some are chronic, another type of thyroid cancers can be treated if diagnosed at early stage.

How to Prevent Thyroid in Women:

Although the risk of thyroid in women can’t be treated entirely, some of the preventive measures women can take are:

  • Eat well:

Eating small and frequent meals during the day can curb thyroid. It can put a positive impact on the T3 level, thereby increasing the insulin level in the body. This increased insulin level helps in turning T4 into the T3. Also, consuming foods rich in selenium can help preventing thyroid and hyperthyroidism. You can consume things like seafood, Brazil nuts, eggs and much more to balance the level of minerals and other nutrients in the body.

  • Say no to smoking:

Smoking increases the risk of developing thyroid problems. Tobacco contains a smoke substance that not only affects the gland but also the thyroid itself. Also, tobacco contains cyanide, which when consumed get converted into an anti-thyroid substance called thiocyanate.

Thiocyanate absorbs the iodine in the thyroid which results in the low production of those hormones which regulates liver, muscles and other organs of the body.

  • Thyroid testing:

Thyroid blood test aids in measuring and monitoring how well and effectively the thyroid glands are working in the body. Some of the most common tests are T3, T3RU, TSH, and T4.

How to Control Hypothyroidism with Exercise:

Underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism can give rise to symptoms like joint pain, fatigue, depression and many more. It also affects other body parts thereby reducing the metabolism.

While doctors usually suggest medicines to cure the disease, some of the most common exercises you can try to curb the disease are:

  • Heart-pumping workouts:

If you are not treating thyroid, it can reduce your cardiac fitness thereby increasing the risk of ventricular arrhythmias or rapid heartbeat. Start practicing activities like running and walking to improve cardiac health. You can also start playing a sport that can help you elevate your mood and improve cardiac health.

  • Do some joint moves:

Those patients suffering from hyperthyroidism usually bear the pain of joint and muscle pain. However, to get relive, they can try low-impact exercises that involve knee, back or hip moments. You can also try yoga, Pilates, walking, swimming, and biking.

  • Do muscle building exercises:

Since thyroid lowers the body’s metabolic rate, it makes people obese. So try out muscle strengthening exercises that can counter the effects.

So, women if you want to stay healthy, opt healthy habits and get away from thyroid problems!

Written By

Keeping it simple, I would say I am a simple whacky kid :) whose mind is always open to learn more and more in this expanding universe. Another quality that I possess is- Even when the house is on fire, I try to keep a cool head. I have the right mix of education, creativity, organizational skills and motivation to become a competent professional. I prefer being involved in work rather than just watch it happening.

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