According to a team of endocrinology specialists at University Hospitals:
If the thyroid is not functioning properly and releases too much or too little of these hormones, it can lead to a variety of symptoms, including:
- Fatigue
- Dry skin
- Thinning hair or hair loss
- Weight gain and/or puffiness
- Bowel changes (frequency, diarrhea, constipation)
- Hoarse voice
- Muscle weakness
- Sleep disturbances
- Muscle cramps
- Inability to focus
- Irregular or absent menstrual periods
Monitoring thyroid function is important for both genders; however, thyroid issues are far more common in women than men. It is estimated that one in eight women will suffer from thyroid problems at some point during her life. And hormonal imbalances due to thyroid disorders can have serious reproductive consequences for women.