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Hypothyroidism is a condition where the thyroid produces low levels of thyroid hormones. This results in an imbalance in the metabolic and chemical reactions in the body.

It can make a woman feel tired and weak all the time. It can cause sleep problems that make them suddenly awaken at night and have difficulty falling back to sleep. This also causes them to feel more tired during the day. Furthermore, hypothyroidism is sometimes accompanied by symptoms of depression. If not treated, hypothyroidism can increase blood cholesterol levels and make one more prone to a heart attack or stroke. Untreated hypothyroidism can also harm an unborn baby.
Men and women of any age can get hypothyroidism, but older adults especially women aged 60 and older have the highest risk. One is also more likely to get the disease if it runs in the family or if one has an autoimmune disease, underwent thyroid surgery, or had radiation therapy.
Diagnosing Hypothyroidism
Fortunately, hypothyroidism can easily be diagnosed from blood tests called thyroid screen once the condition is suspected. As mentioned earlier, however, only a quarter of women who present with clinical manifestations similar to menopausal symptoms are screened for hypothyroidism.
Thyroid screen consists of a thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) test, which demonstrates an increase in amount of TSH in the blood. It is considered the most reliable way to uncover a thyroid problem, especially when paired with a blood test for free thyroxine (T4), a thyroid hormone that is decreased with a hypo-functioning gland.
Once diagnosed, hypothyroidism is easily treatable with thyroid hormone pills, which will result in improvement of symptoms within two weeks.
Are You Experiencing Menopause or Hypothyroidism?
Many of the symptoms of menopause and hypothyroidism may be alike and can lead to confusion since these may occur around the age of menopause (40 to 58 years old). Furthermore, symptoms may not be consistent or clearly defined. Women and their doctors may take these symptoms for those related to perimenopause and may try treatments directed at relieving them without addressing the underlying condition. Since there are usually no laboratory tests for menopause, both patient and doctor may be misled.
It is therefore advisable to discuss these concerns with a physician rather than assuming that your symptoms are just due to normal aging process or menopause, especially if remedies for menopausal-like symptoms do not seem to work. A TSH level that is higher than normal and T4 levels that are low indicate that you are most probably suffering from hypothyroidism.
Read More: Hypothyroidism and the weight battle
When lab tests show altered TSH and T4 levels, further tests may be done to determine the cause of your thyroid problems. An antibody test may be needed to determine if you have an autoimmune condition called Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
In this condition, the body's immune system attacks your thyroid gland, causing it to malfunction. Doctors may also ask for imaging tests to evaluate the thyroid gland if it appears to have physical abnormalities such as an increase in size or presence of lumps. These include a thyroid ultrasound and a thyroid scan. Further studies on the brain, which also influences thyroid gland function, may also be needed, and these include a CT (computed tomography) scan or an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of the brain.
- www.thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/research/Hypothyroidism.html
- CeMCOR. Perimenopause and Thyroid Problems—common and confusing. http://www.cemcor.ubc.ca/ask/perimenopause_thyroid
- Mindmap by steadyhealth.com
- Photo courtesy of Sarah Jessica Eve by Flickr : www.flickr.com/photos/sjem/234242694/