Thyroid issues in women: You’ve probably heard someone say, “I have thyroid problems,” and you may have noticed it’s often women who say this. That’s not your imagination. Thyroid disorders are much more common in women than in men, and there are clear biological and hormonal reasons behind this.
This guide will walk you through what the thyroid is, what it does, and why issues are so common in women.
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What is the thyroid?
Your thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your neck, just below the Adam’s apple. Despite its size, it has a huge role in keeping your body running smoothly. It produces hormones that help regulate:
- How fast your body uses energy (metabolism)
- Your body temperature
- Heart rate
- Digestion
- Mood and energy levels
What are the common issues associated with thyroid?
When the thyroid is even slightly underactive or overactive, you can feel the effects across your whole body; from weight changes and fatigue to changes in skin, hair, sleep and mood.
Common thyroid problems mostly fall into two categories: hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
In hypothyroidism, the thyroid doesn’t make enough hormone, so everything in the body slows down. People often feel constantly tired, gain weight without a clear reason, feel low or depressed, notice dry skin, feel unusually cold and may have a slower heartbeat.
In hyperthyroidism, the thyroid gland is overactive and produces excessive hormones, which accelerate bodily functions. This can show up as anxiety or nervousness, unexplained weight loss, a fast or pounding heartbeat and trouble sleeping or feeling restless.
Why are women more affected by thyroid issues?
Women are more affected by thyroid problems because their hormones change repeatedly over a lifetime; during puberty, monthly cycles, pregnancy and menopause. These shifts, especially in oestrogen, can influence how the thyroid works.
During pregnancy, for example, the body requires additional thyroid hormone to support both the mother and the baby. If it can’t keep up with this extra demand, some women develop thyroid problems such as hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism or postpartum thyroiditis. In many cases, thyroid issues only appear for the first time during or after pregnancy and can be mistaken for “normal” new-mom exhaustion, mood changes or baby blues, which means they’re easy to miss. Some women develop postpartum thyroiditis after delivery when the gland becomes temporarily inflamed.
Many thyroid conditions are also autoimmune, such as Graves’ disease and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, where the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid. Women are much more likely than men to develop autoimmune illnesses, possibly because their immune systems are generally more active or sensitive, which may help explain why thyroid disorders are so common in women.
Certain hormone-based treatments, like some birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy, can also influence thyroid levels. That’s because oestrogen in these medicines affects how thyroid hormones travel in the blood and how the body uses them. This isn’t usually dangerous, but it can make an existing thyroid condition a bit more challenging to manage.
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The key thing to remember is that thyroid problems are prevalent and often stay hidden until symptoms become too strong to ignore. If you feel exhausted all the time, struggle to lose weight, notice changes in your mood, heart rate, hair or skin, or feel “off” for no clear reason, don’t just push through it. Consult your doctor and have your thyroid function checked.
