Thyroid Disorders in Women

It is no secret that women have it tough in life. From the recurring monthly trauma that comes in the form of the dreaded menstrual cycle to the balancing act that they perform trying to juggle careers and families to the most infamous levels of pain they go through during childbirth – there is enough and more evidence that women lead a much tougher life than men. Add to this the fact that diseases like those related to the thyroid target women more than men (80% of people suffering from thyroid disorder are women), and you have a complete laundry list of reasons why women deserve to be treated with respect.

A) An irregular menstrual cycle

– It can cause lighter or heavier periods depending on whether the thyroid gland is under-active or hyperactive. It can also cause a complete cessation of the menstrual cycle which is known as amenorrhea.

B) Infertility

– Since thyroid disorders affect the menstrual cycle, they also affect the ability of a woman to get pregnant. She is either rendered completely infertile or has a lot of trouble in getting pregnant

C) Difficult pregnancies

– Thyroid problems may lead to complications during pregnancy and also pose a health threat to both the mother and the baby.

Common thyroid related disorders amongst women:

1) Hypothyroidism

– This is a disease that occurs due to an under-active thyroid gland that does not produce enough thyroid hormones. Hashimoto’s disease which is an autoimmune disorder is one of the most common causes of hypothyroidism in women. Hypothyroidism causes the following symptoms in women:

• Dry, scaly skin
• Hair loss
• Weight gain
• Difficulty in losing weight
• Muscle cramps
• Joint pains
• High blood pressure
• Swollen neck due to an enlarged thyroid
• High cholesterol level

2) Post-partum thyroiditis

: Approximately 10 percent of women suffer from post-partum thyroiditis and do not get diagnosed especially since the initial symptoms can be confused with post-partum depression. Post-partum thyroiditis appears in 2 phases:

1. Phase 1 – This lasts for the first 3 to 4 months after delivery. During this phase the body shows symptoms of hyperthyroidism as the thyroid gland starts to leak thyroid hormones into the blood stream.
2. Phase 2 – This phase lasts between 4 months and a maximum of 12 months after delivery. During this time the body exhibits symptoms of hypothyroidism because the thyroid gland is exhausted after Phase 1 and is unable to produce sufficient hormones

3) Hyperthyroidism

– This is a disease that is caused due to an over-active thyroid gland that produces an excess of thyroid hormones. Graves’ disease is one of the most common causes of this condition in women. The symptoms are as follows:

• Rapid loss of weight
• High pulse rate
• Rapid heartbeat
• Insomnia
• Increased appetite
• Nervousness and anxiety
• Muscle weakness
• Hot flashes
• Diarrhea

4) Thyroid nodules

– A thyroid nodule is a swelling in a particular section of the thyroid gland. It can be a solid mass or can be filled with fluid. Thyroid nodules affect women 4 times more than men. Symptoms of this condition are:

• Problem in breathing or swallowing
• Hyperthyroidism

5) Thyroid cancer

– This type of cancer is way more common in women than in men. It occurs when diseased cancer cells start multiplying rapidly in the thyroid gland tissue.

6) Goiter :  caused due to the swelling of the thyroid gland leading to a swollen neck. Goiter too is more common in women than in men and happens mostly around menopause.

Curcumin is a spice that has always been known to help in the treatment of thyroid disorders. In India, Bagdara Farms is a unique venture which aims at bringing this very potent substance to your doorstep in the form of supplements. The curcumin grown at Bagdara Farms is natural and organic. It is grown without the use of chemical pesticides or fertilizers. It is pure and free from chemicals. One such supplement is Thyromeric which is very useful in fighting thyroid disorders.

Benefits of Thyromeric in thyroid disorders:

1) The anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin help in alleviating the effects of acute Thyroiditis. It has been seen to reduce pain, swelling and uncontrolled growth of the thyroid gland.

2) The anti-carcinogenic properties of curcumin help in keeping thyroid cancer at bay. Thyroid cancer is a common long-term outcome of any thyroid disorder.

3) Curcumin brings down the level of oxidative enzymes produced in the body. These enzymes are known to cause oxidative stress. The antioxidant properties of curcumin reverse the effects of oxidative stress thus caused.

Click here for more details : https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26299635