Identifying Thyroid Disease As We Age

Identifying Thyroid Disease As We Age
Almost always higher levels of fatigue, mental fogginess and weight
are thought to be symbols of aging. However, for women, these
symptoms may be due to an aging thyroid gland as well. Incidence
of thyroid disease is more common than we think and the risk of a
diseased thyroid increases with age. An underactive thyroid, also
known as hypothyroidism, is observed to be five-fold in women
compared to men and is incident in about 15% of women aged
more than 65 years.
The function of the thyroid gland in our bodies is to produce
hormones that affect the use of the energy that is produced. This,
in turn, affects all the other major functions such as digestion,
metabolism, mental clarity and heart rate. When a person is
affected by thyroid disease, endocrinologists are forced to
examine the whole body because, if left untreated, this disease can
affect almost every organ in the whole body.
Symptoms of Thyroid Disease
Some symptoms of thyroid disease are as mentioned below:
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Heavy bleeding during menstruation
Feelings of depression
Fatigue of the body
Aching Joints
Hair fall
Dryness of skin
Constipation
Feeling cold most of the times
Other individual symptoms may include low heart rate, high
cholesterol levels, anemia, and low sodium levels. Some of these
symptoms can persist even if the patient also takes calcium, iron or
other acid-blocking medicines. These block the absorption of the
thyroid medicines. Therefore it is important to disclose the entire
list of medications and supplements that you are taking with the
doctor who is going to treat the thyroid disease.
On the contrary, an overactive thyroid, also called
hyperthyroidism, causes weight loss and a high heart rate. Older
adults suffering from hyperthyroidism, typically have fewer
symptoms than younger adult patients. The risks of the disease are
greater in older adults. Hyperthyroidism also causes osteoporosis
or atrial fibrillation in some cases.
Thyroid Disease in Older Adults – Diagnosis
The diagnosis of thyroid disease is a challenge in most cases as the
symptoms mimic other medical conditions. Moreover, determining
normal thyroid levels in patients aged in their 80s and 90s is a
tough job. Many a time, patients over 65 years are over-treated for
their current thyroid conditions. For this reason, treatment of
thyroid is best done on an individual basis. In case you think you
have a thyroid problem, the first step is to have a chat with your
consulting specialist. In case you are looking out for thyroid
treatment in Mumbai, MPCT Hospital is the best choice for you.
We take pride in claiming that we are the best thyroid clinic in
Mumbai offering you top-of-the-line thyroid treatment through
our expert thyroid specialists.

The function of the thyroid gland in our bodies is to produce hormones that affect the use of the energy that is produced. This, in turn, affects all the other major functions such as digestion, metabolism, mental clarity, and heart rate. When a person is affected by thyroid disease, endocrinologists are forced to examine the whole body because, if left untreated, this disease can affect almost every organ in the whole body.

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