Nonspecific symptoms can complicate diagnosis
Thanks to genetics, women are five to six times more likely than men to suffer from a disorder of the thyroid gland, which produces hormones that are essential to normal body functioning.
The most common thyroid disorder is hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid. While easily diagnosed by a blood test, this condition often goes unrecognized because its symptoms are not specific to hypothyroidism, said Murray Gordon, M.D., director, Division of Endocrinology, Allegheny General Hospital. Symptoms of hypothyroidism include fatigue, unexplained weight gain, bloating and fluid retention, feeling cold, hoarseness and constipation.
When to be tested
For women suffering from these symptoms, the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) blood test may determine whether hypothyroidism is the problem, Dr. Gordon said. It's particularly important for symptomatic women to be tested if a family member has thyroid disease or another autoimmune disorder such as asthma, systemic lupus erythematosus or rheumatoid arthritis, Dr. Gordon added.
"Fifty percent of first-degree relatives of someone with thyroid disease will have the gene for thyroid dysfunction, which doesn't guarantee they will develop thyroid disease but does give them a greater chance of having it," he said.
Last Updated: September 24, 2009