This speeds up your bodily processes and can lead to debilitating symptoms and dangerous complications.
This article explores hyperthyroidism symptoms in females and how its treated.
Graves disease is the leading cause of hyperthyroidism.
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It causes your immune system to overstimulate yourthyroid gland, which makes it over-produce hormones.
This direct action means they have a big effect on your menstrual cycle.
When hyperthyroidism strikes early in life, it may delay the onset ofpubertyand menstrual periods.
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Hyperthyroidism Symptoms in Pregnancy
Hyperthyroidism can make it harder to get pregnant.
Graves disease is associated with some risks duringpregnancy, as well.
Graves disease typically worsens during the first half of pregnancy and improves during the second half.
A goiter is an inflamed thyroid gland, and it can make it hard for the baby to swallow.
With treatment, though, this is usually a short-term issue that doesnt affect the baby.
Hyperthyroidism Symptoms Around Menopause
Excess thyroid hormone leads toearly menopausein some people.
This is defined as before age 40 or in your early 40s.
Because symptoms of hyperthyroidism and menopause are similar, they can be mistaken for each other.
Symptoms include:
Treating your thyroid condition can prevent early menopause.
Ovarian Cysts
Research suggests excess thyroid hormone is associated with an increase inovarian cysts.
The risk is lower in people with hyperthyroidism than in people withhypothyroidism(underactive thyroid).
Beta-blockersare blood pressure medications that lessen the effect of thyroid hormones on your body.
Theyre common while waiting for other treatments to take effect.
Medications During Pregnancy
MMI and PTU can cross the placenta and reach the fetus.
In rare cases, theyve been linked to congenital abnormalities.
Some studies suggest that, in early pregnancy, PTU may be safer for the baby than MMI.
Congenital abnormalities from MMI appear less likely In the second trimester when the babys organs are better developed.
Experts recommend PTU for treating hyperthyroidism during the first trimester and switching to MMI in the second trimester.
Radioactive Iodine
Radioactive iodine(RAI) damages the thyroid gland and cuts its hormone production.
You cant have RAI while pregnant because of risks to the baby.
Thyroid Surgery
In some cases, surgeons remove part or all of the thyroid gland.
This is called athyroidectomy.
This surgery is also a cure for hyperthyroidism but can lead to an underactive thyroid.
RFA is mainly used to treat solid, noncancerous (benign) nodules.
This in-office procedure performed underlocal anesthesiais associated with a 0.1% risk of complications.
As the radio waves are delivered through the skin via a pen-like transducer, no incisions are needed.
Summary
Hyperthyroidism is an endocrine disorder involving high levels of thyroid hormones.
It’s common in females and can impact menstruation, fertility, pregnancy, and menopause.
It’s important to treat hyperthyroidism during pregnancy.
Possible complications include preterm birth, low birth weight, preeclampsia, and thyroid storm.
Hyperthyroidism treatments include medications, radioactive iodine, and surgical removal.
Antithyroid medications may, in rare instances, lead to congenital abnormalities.
Be sure to discuss the safest course of treatment during your pregnancy.
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2018;99(5):907-921. doi:10.1093/biolre/ioy115
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