Women Veterans: Have you experienced a significant shift in your weight, mood, energy, temperature tolerance, periods or skin and hair? It may be your thyroid. About 60% of people with a thyroid condition are unaware but it’s a common issue among women.
What is the thyroid?
The thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland [group of tissues that release hormones] found at the front base of your neck. Your thyroid makes hormones [chemicals that send messages around the body] that help to control many vital functions of your body. It affects physical energy, temperature, weight, mood and menstrual cycle, as well as several other bodily functions.
When your thyroid doesn’t work properly, it can impact your entire body, but proper medication or treatment can help.
How do thyroid conditions affect women?
While thyroid conditions affect everyone, they are most common in women, especially right after pregnancy and menopause. In fact, one in eight women will develop thyroid problems during their lifetime.
Your thyroid effects your menstrual cycle, so if you produce too much or too little thyroid hormone, your periods may be very light, heavy or irregular.
When thyroid conditions affect the menstrual cycle, it may impact fertility, making it harder for you to get pregnant. Thyroid issues during pregnancy can also cause health problems for the mother and the baby.
Thyroid condition symptoms can sometimes be mistaken for menopause, though you’re more likely to develop a thyroid disease after menopause. It’s important to know that thyroid conditions can develop at any age, even from birth, as thyroid issues can lead to early menopause (before age 40).
You may be at a higher risk of developing a thyroid condition if you have a family history of thyroid disease, have another medical condition (such as diabetes), take certain medications that are high in iodine, are older than 60 or have had treatment for a past thyroid disease or cancer.
What are the common types of thyroid diseases and symptoms?
There are two common types of thyroid disease: hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
Hypothyroidism is when your thyroid does not make enough thyroid hormones, also known as an underactive thyroid. This slows down many of your body’s functions like your metabolism. Symptoms include feeling cold, hair loss or thinning, puffy face and drier skin, slow heartbeat, joint and muscle pain, weight gain, constipation, heavier periods, depression and fatigue, or weakness.
Hyperthyroidism is when your thyroid makes more thyroid hormone than your body needs, also known as overactive thyroid. This speeds up many bodily functions like your metabolism and heart rate. Symptoms include feeling hot and increased sweating, eye irritation; bulging, rapid heartbeat; muscle weakness, weight loss, diarrhea, lighter periods, anxiety or trouble sleeping.
Additional thyroid-related conditions may include thyroid benign nodule or thyroid cancer.
How do I get support if I experience symptoms?
When your thyroid doesn’t work properly, it can impact your entire body, but proper medication or treatment can help. If you have a family history of thyroid disease, notice a mass or swollen neck, or experience significant changes in your mood, weight, energy, period, temperature tolerance or hair and skin, it’s time to make an appointment. Speak with your VA health care provider about your symptoms and start taking steps to improve the way you feel.
Visit VA Women’s Health for more information or call 1-855-VA-WOMEN to speak to a real person and get connected to care.
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If you have one autoimmune disease you’re likely to develop others so do be aware of any change in your body. Any thyroid disease can lead to thyroid eye disease (TED)–bulging eyes caused by pressure on the optic nerve. Do see an ophthalmologist for any eye pain. There is a treatment, Tapezza, that was approved within the last few years. But there are side effects to discuss with your doctors. While I’m not in the medical field, I had Hashimoto which turned into Graves as well as TED & other autoimmune diseases.
I recently checked myself into the VA. My primary dr told me to get a blood test. There it was..TSH through the roof. Explained why I had alot of the problems—nearly all on the list. GET YOUR BLOOD CHECKED. Tell your vet freinds…..I have 1 who motivated me to go in and get checked out. It could be a life saver!
I’m a disabled veteran who served in the US. Army where I developed Graves but was denied compensation when I filed for it and still fighting for compensation…I’m currently working with a VFW rep….
I have to say, I was rather disappointed, in that this article indicated only women. I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, and had to have my thyroid removed. I was fortunate in that I did not require chemo, or radiation, but, I AM on medication for the rest of my life, now, and, also have some of the associated side-effects of not having a thyroid.
Good advice for awareness. I had none of the risk factors, no family history, and still developed hyperthyroidism toward the end of my pregnancy (autoimmune condition known as Graves). Luckily, mine was put into remission and has remained there. But always good to get those blood tests for your thyroid!
very informative and helpful for the most recent news.