Women Face Higher Risk of Thyroid Issues Due to Hormones, Experts Say

Chitwan. Endocrinologists (hormone specialists) have stated that women are at a higher risk of thyroid problems compared to men due to 'hormones'. Endocrinologist Dr. Saurav Khatiwada of Chitwan Medical College (CMC) Teaching Hospital informed that 15 to 20 percent of women have the possibility of 'hyperthyroidism'. He said, "Only about half of that occurs in men. That is, only about five to eight percent of men have the problem of hyperthyroidism (high thyroid)."

He explained that the small gland located at the lower front of the neck is called the thyroid and has two parts. He said, "It produces important hormones that the body needs. This hormone is very important in our daily lives." Dr. Khatiwada stated that thyroid hormone is crucial for brain development in children, energy, vitality in adults, heart function, digestion, and maintaining body weight balance.

He mentioned that some symptoms appear when thyroid hormone levels are low, and some symptoms appear when hormone levels are high. He said, "Sometimes the thyroid gland itself can become painful. Sometimes tumors also grow in the thyroid. Among tumors, thyroid tumors are the easiest to treat."

If thyroid increases, symptoms like anxiety, hand tremors, palpitations, and feeling excessively hot can appear, said Dr. Khatiwada, adding, "This is known as 'thinning thyroid'. In this condition, T3 and T4 hormones are increased, while TSH is decreased." He stated that patients with such conditions should be given medication to reduce thyroid hormone.

He clarified that neck pain alone does not indicate thyroid problems, but it can sometimes develop into thyroid cancer. He said, "If lumps are felt in the neck, an ultrasound should be done to determine if it is cancer or not. Sometimes cancer can also be detected by testing tumors." If cancer is identified, it can be cured through surgery and radiotherapy, he added.

Physician Dr. Bhojraj Adhikari of Pushpanjali Hospital states that women experience more thyroid problems. He generally explained that people have problems with either a decrease or increase in thyroid hormone, saying, "When the thyroid hormone in the body decreases, TSH levels come out high in tests. We call this 'decreasing thyroid'. Alternatively, T3 and T4 levels are decreased, meaning below normal. This type of thyroid is also known as 'slowing down' or 'weight gain' thyroid." He mentioned that this can lead to fatigue in some, leg swelling in others, dull facial complexion, and hair loss. He said, "If there is a thyroid problem, taking one tablet of medicine daily with a sip of water in the morning can bring it under good control."

He stated that thyroid problems are more common in women during childbirth and between the ages of 25 to 50. According to him, a decrease in thyroid hormone is observed in most women in the period before menopause.

Endocrinologist (Diabetes, Thyroid, and Hormone Disease Specialist) Dr. Omanath Adhikari attributes the higher prevalence of thyroid issues in women to increased autoimmune activity. He explained that women experience more thyroid problems than men due to higher autoimmune activity.

He noted that autoimmune conditions lead to more rheumatic diseases in women compared to men. He said, "When thyroid increases, menstruation becomes irregular. In women, due to autoimmune activity, hormones cause an increase in thyroid levels." He stated that thyroid can cause symptoms like body aches, fatigue, and weight gain in women.