Do You Need A Thyroid Test? Understanding Preventative Healthcare Measures

Fast-paced lifestyles and stress have led to an increase in ailments like diabetes, thyroid, hypertension, and heart diseases. According to a study, thyroid diseases are more common in women than men. However, many of their symptoms are either attributed to other conditions or written off as a consequence of ageing.

Many people with hypothyroidism aren't aware anything is wrong because they haven't been tested. Hence, regular preventive health check-ups may reduce the risk of developing more serious problems. If you have definite symptoms of hypothyroidism, you should talk to your clinician about being tested.

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The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck. It is part of the endocrine system, a network of glands that produce and secrete hormones that regulate various body functions.

The thyroid gland produces two hormones, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), which play a crucial role in regulating metabolism. These hormones help to control heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and the rate at which the body burns calories. The thyroid gland's function is regulated by the pituitary gland, which produces thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) that stimulates the thyroid to produce T3 and T4.

The thyroid gland's proper functioning is essential for maintaining overall health, and any disruption in its function can lead to a range of health problems, including hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, goitre, and thyroid cancer.

There is no single answer as to why women are more likely to have thyroid issues than men. However, experts believe that several factors may contribute to this gender disparity:

Hormones: Women experience more significant hormonal fluctuations throughout their lives, particularly during pregnancy, postpartum, menopause, and menstruation. These ">hormonal changes can affect the thyroid gland's function, leading to an overactive or underactive thyroid.

Genetics: Women may have a higher genetic predisposition to thyroid disorders, especially autoimmune thyroid diseases such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Graves' disease. Women with a family history of autoimmune diseases are at a higher risk of developing thyroid problems.

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Age: As women age, their risk of developing thyroid disorders increases. Postmenopausal women are more likely to experience thyroid gland enlargement (goitre) and thyroid nodules.

Environmental factors: Exposure to environmental toxins, such as pesticides, heavy metals, and other pollutants, has been linked to thyroid problems.

Nutritional deficiencies: Low levels of certain nutrients, including iodine and selenium, can affect thyroid function and contribute to the development of thyroid disorders.

In summary, while the exact cause of thyroid issues in women is unknown, it is thought to be due to a combination of hormonal, genetic, environmental, and nutritional factors.

Disclaimer: At SheThePeople we advise you to connect with a specialist. Content on the platform is for knowledge sharing only. This article is auto-generated using AI tools.

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