Overactive Thyroid Symptoms in Women

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The overactive thyroid gland symptoms are referred to as a condition called hyperthyroidism. An overactive is also referred to as a hyperactive thyroid. This condition is associated with increased production of the hormone,thyroxine (T4). Most of the hyperactive thyroid related symptoms are associated with the impaired metabolic rate of the body. These symptoms are very much similar to the symptoms of various other medical conditions and can be often misdiagnosed. However, on diagnosing an overactive thyroid, patients are likely to respond well to the treatment.

Symptoms of overactive thyroid in women

Overactive thyroid symptoms are specific for each patient and every woman can present with a specific symptoms which may or may not be found in other women. In general, the symptoms can vary depending on a woman’s age, special situations such as menstruation, pregnancy, and lactation, to include a few. In some cases, the symptoms tend to develop gradually and may not present during initial stages. However, symptoms can be recognized as the condition progresses.

 

Here is a list of some of the common symptoms of an overactive thyroid in women as follows:

  • Depression

  • Reduced mineral density of the bone, thus resulting in Osteoporosis

  • Brittle nails

  • Reduced cholesterol level

  • Thinning of skin

  • Nausea

  • Periodic Paralysis

  • Increased irritability

  • Sleeping difficulty

  • Bulging of one or both the eyes

  • Retraction of the eyelids

  • Double vision (diplopia)

  • Eye pain

  • Fine brittle hair

  • Hair-loss

  • Nervousness

  • Anxiety

  • Hand and finger tremors

  • Reduced menstrual flow

  • Irregular menstrual cycle

  • Light menstrual flow

  • Excessive thirst

  • Heat intolerance

  • Impaired fertility or Infertility

  • Frequent Miscarriages

  • Birth to Preterm babies

  • Stillbirth

  • Shortness of breath

  • Palpitation

  • loss of libido

  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

  • Skin presents with painless red lumps

  • Diarrhea

  • Frequent defecation

  • warm moist hands

  • Excessive sweating

  • Swelling in front of the neck (goiter)

  • Memory loss

  • Lack of concentration or focus

  • Hyperactivity

  • Reduced blood pressure

  • muscular weakness, particularly in the upper arms and thighs

  • Fatigue

  • Profound weight loss, in relation to a paradoxical rise in appetite

  • Untreated overactive thyroid function can cause serious health complications in women such as heart diseases (atrial fibrillation), stroke, and kidney failure.

  • Some of the common complications of an overactive thyroid gland in women include sensitivity to light, fever, brittle bones eventually resulting in fractures, delirium and failure to conceive, to mention a few.

Some of the common symptoms of an overactive thyroid in women are as follows:

Weight Loss

An overactive thyroid can increase appetite and causes sudden weight loss in the body. However, it is one of the most significant sign that can be easily noticed as one continues to lose weight despite increasing the food intake.

Heart disease

  • An overactive thyroid presents with fast and irregular heart rate of up to more than 100 beats per minute.

  • Other associated symptoms include heart palpitations, irregular heartbeat, atrial fibrillation, and pounding heart.

Neurological symptoms

  • Anxiety and tremors are the most commonly experienced neurological manifestations by women with overactive thyroid.

  • Tremors are another important indication of overactive thyroid which clinically presents with slow trembling or shaking movements of the fingers and hands.

  • Irritability and nervousness are related symptoms commonly presented by women

  • Affected women tend to develop anxiety or panic attacks, depression, severe mood swings, and unusual behavior.

Altered menstrual cycle

  • Symptoms include irregular menstrual periods, reduced menstrual flow, or cessation of menstrual periods in severe cases.

  • Women with untreated hyperactive thyroid can develop infertility problems and frequent abortions.

  • Pregnant women with uncontrolled hyperthyroidism can develop pregnancy complications like giving birth to preterm or still birth babies, and babies are at risk of developing hyperthyroidism at an early age.

Graves’ Ophthalmopathy

  • An overactive thyroid is associated with an eye condition, called Graves’ ophthalmopathy, which affects either one or both the eyes.

  • Graves’ hyperthyroidism is an autoimmune condition that runs in families and most commonly affects women.

  • Symptoms of Graves’ ophthalmopathy include inflammation or swelling of the eyes, eye redness, prominent and protruding eyeballs, resulting in typical stare;tear formation and discomfort in one or both the eyes, blurry vision, double vision, light sensitivity and limited movement of the eyes.

Other Symptoms

  • Other symptoms include sleeping difficulty (insomnia); increased sensitivity to heat and light; muscle weakness; increased sweating; and fatigue.

  • The thyroid gland presents with diffuse enlargement (goiter) at the base of the neck.

Symptoms in Elderly women

Elderly women tend to be either symptomatic or develop subtle symptoms like heat intolerance, tiredness by engaging in simple, routine activities, increased heart rate and pulse rate.

Filed Under: Overactive Thyroid Symptoms in Women