Medical Advices Blog

Archive for the ‘Thyroid’ Category

Older women, those of menopausal age, are at the greatest risk of developing thyroid problems, especially if an underactive thyroid condition runs in their family. Those women who do have thyroids that are underactive have a low metabolic rate, and one of the main symptoms of a low metabolic rate is weight gain and difficulty losing weight. These are also symptoms of menopause which is why they are often ignored.

When a woman experiences menopause, the hormonal changes can cause hot flushes, weight gain, fatigue, depression and mood swings, a foggy mental state, and loss of sex drive. Except for the hot flashes, these are all symptoms of an underactive thyroid condition. It is easy to see how the two can be confused. The hormones the thyroid produces keeps the rest of the body working at the perfect speed. If thyroid hormone levels decrease, the body uses less energy and weight gain occurs. With less calories burning, a person feels more sensitive to cold. The whole body just slows down. The bowels no longer work well.

When difficulty losing weight and unexplained weight gain is accompanied by constipation, dry skin, and sensitivity to the cold, it is possible that the individual has hypothyroidism. It is best to consult your doctor who can arrange simple blood tests to out rule a thyroid condition.