Thyroid Symptoms: Early Warning Signs of Thyroid Problems in Teenage Girls and Women

The thyroid gland is one of the most important endocrine glands responsible for the secretion of hormones critical for regulating metabolism, bone growth, and overall sexual development.  Numerous studies have shown that women are more likely to develop thyroid gland abnormalities or disorders. The primary cause is unknown, but scientists think that fluctuations in the menstrual cycle and hormonal imbalances are responsible for abnormalities and thyroid disorders. Let’s look at the early warning signs of thyroid in teenage girls and women.

Hyperthyroid symptoms in Girls: 

Hyperthyroidism is when the thyroid gland produces an excessive amount of thyroid hormone. Also referred to as an overactive thyroid condition where the body’s overall metabolism increases.

• Swelling of the neck: Another early sign of hyperthyroidism in young girls is swelling of the neck, also known as goitre.

• Sudden weight loss: while a certain degree of fluctuation in weight is regular throughout your life, excessive weight loss is not. An overactive thyroid can induce unexpected and abrupt weight loss in young girls.

• Menstrual irregularities: A woman’s menstrual cycle could become irregular throughout adolescence. However, this could be due to hormonal abnormalities in the thyroid gland. Thyroid hormones play an essential role in the body’s reproductive system and affect the menstrual cycle. If you have abnormally light or heavy periods, it might be related to hyperthyroidism.

• Difficulty in concentrating: Another primary symptom included with Hyperthyroidism in young girls is difficulty concentrating and a shorter attention span which can hamper their studies.

• Mood swings: Hyperthyroidism is commonly accompanied by excessive anger and extreme anxiety.

• Hand tremors: hyperthyroidism can cause excessive tremors in the hands.

• Skin problems: An overactive thyroid can result in overly oily and itchy skin.

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Hypothyroid symptoms in girls:

Hypothyroidism is when the thyroid gland produces a minimal thyroid hormone. This condition, also known as inactive thyroid, occurs when the thyroid gland is not functioning correctly. As a result, the most common hypothyroidism symptoms include:

• Weight gain.

• Tiredness or fatigue.

• A slow heart rate.

• Skin darkening.

• Thyroid gland enlargement in girls.

• Poor development: thyroid hormone is crucial for proper development. In the absence of the hormone, the teenager can have stunted or poor overall growth.

• Delayed puberty: Facing thyroid irregularities and Hypothyroidism early on can cause delayed puberty and menstrual cycle onset in girls.

• Irregular periods: another common early symptom of developing Hypothyroidism is delayed or irregular menstrual cycles in young girls during their adolescence.

• Weight gain: hormonal imbalance can also cause sudden excessive weight gain.

What Are the Early Warning Signs of Thyroid Problems in Women?

According to studies, women of all ages are equally susceptible to developing thyroid problems. While most of the symptoms are similar to those seen in teenage girls, some additional symptoms might be visible in women. Women are also prone to developing problems with the thyroid in later stages of life. Below are some of the early warning signs of thyroid problems in women:

Hyperthyroid symptoms in women: 

• Problems with ovulation: hyperthyroidism can affect normal reproductive function and irregular ovulation. This can be a reason behind infertility in women.

• Excessive Morning sickness during pregnancy: hyperthyroidism can cause very severe morning sickness when pregnant.

• Hot flashes: women with hyperthyroidism can face severe hot flashes and excessive sweating.

• Menopause like symptoms: most symptoms of an overactive thyroid gland resemble menopause. Some signs include mood swings, hot flashes, insomnia, and delayed or absent menstrual cycle.

• Fatigue and exhaustion: Using all of your energy and feeling extremely exhausted every day can be caused by various factors. Still, the most common cause of chronic fatigue and tiredness is underlying hyperthyroidism. It affects the metabolic rate, resulting in persistent exhaustion, weakness, and weariness. So, if you are feeling more tired than usual, do not disregard the symptoms and get your thyroid examined.

Hypothyroid symptoms in women: 

Some of the early symptoms of Hypothyroidism in females involve:

• Abnormal menstrual cycle/ absence of menstruation: An underactive thyroid can lead to a lack of ovulation or amenorrhoea and abnormal milk production from the breast.

• Problems in pregnancy: Hyperthyroidism during pregnancy can result in miscarriages, stillbirth and bleeding after pregnancy. It can also negatively affect the fetus and cause developmental abnormalities.

• Chronic constipation: Hypothyroidism is associated with irregular bowel movement and a chronic constipation problem in women.

•  Skin problems such as dry skin: dry and itchy skin is one of the earliest symptoms of hypothyroidism.

• Cold intolerance: feeling excessively cold and the inability to sustain cold temperatures can be due to the lack of thyroid hormone in the body. Hypothyroidism slows down the metabolic rate.

• Lethargy and weight gain: a reduced metabolic rate in females is also associated with the feeling of constant fatigue and lethargy along with severe weight gain.

• Hair loss and thinning hair: Hypothyroid disease is also associated with hair thinning or overall hair loss in women.

• Feeling overly sleepy: one of the most common and early indicators of Hypothyroidism is increasing the frequency of sleep. As the body’s metabolic rate slows down, it can induce more sleep than regular.

Takeaway:

Thyroid disease can be managed and treated only when diagnosed at the right time. Early diagnosis of the disease necessitates careful monitoring of all symptoms and indicators. It is critical to raise general awareness about the condition and understand the different symptoms of hypo and hyperthyroidism in women and girls.

FAQ

How to check thyroid at home?

It is essential to keep a check on the symptoms and consult a doctor. For checking thyroid at home, you can book a test with Redcliffe Labs. The labs offer a free home sample collection facility and quick reports.