Hyperthyroidism Symptoms in Females

Adrienne Dellwo
·5 min read

Hormonal Effects, Weight Fluctuations, and Hair Changes

Medically reviewed by Do-Eun Lee, MD

Hyperthyroidism is an endocrine (hormone) disorder in which your thyroid gland is overactive and produces too much thyroid hormone. This speeds up your bodily processes and can lead to debilitating symptoms and dangerous complications.

Hyperthyroidism is between 5 and 10 times more common in females than males. Symptoms vary but may include unintended weight loss and an irregular heart. In females, it can also affect your menstrual periods, fertility and pregnancy, and menopause.

This article explores hyperthyroidism symptoms in females and how it’s treated.

How Hyperthyroidism Symptoms Differ in Females

About 1 in 8 people assigned female at birth will develop a thyroid problem. Because of how hormones interact, it affects females and males differently.

Symptoms specific to females include:

  • Changes in your menstrual cycle

  • Difficulty getting pregnant

  • Complications during pregnancy

  • Postpartum problems

  • Early menopause

Female Hyperthyroidism Symptoms: Average Age of Diagnosis

Hyperthyroidism can affect you at any age, but the onset is often during your 30s and 40s. If you have a family history of autoimmune disease, you may be at increased risk for Graves’ disease, an autoimmune thyroid disorder.

Graves’ disease is the leading cause of hyperthyroidism. It causes your immune system to overstimulate your thyroid gland, which makes it over-produce hormones.



Thyroid Hormones

The thyroid gland produces two hormones: triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4).



Hyperthyroidism Symptoms and Periods

Thyroid hormones directly impact the development and function of your ovaries, uterus, and, during pregnancy, the placenta. This direct action means they have a big effect on your menstrual cycle.

In hyperthyroidism, periods are typically lighter than what’s usual for you. Some people with this condition stop having periods altogether, called amenorrhea.

When hyperthyroidism strikes early in life, it may delay the onset of puberty and menstrual periods.

<p>Getty Images</p>

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Hyperthyroidism Symptoms in Pregnancy

Hyperthyroidism can make it harder to get pregnant. Graves’ disease is associated with some risks during pregnancy, as well. The main problem is that you may not ovulate regularly—or at all. If your ovaries fail to release an egg, you can’t get pregnant that month.

Graves’ disease typically worsens during the first half of pregnancy and improves during the second half. Often, it gets more severe after delivery. Your healthcare team will likely monitor your thyroid hormone levels closely to ensure you and your baby are as safe as possible.

If Graves’ is untreated or inadequately treated during pregnancy, it can lead to complications such as:

While rare, elevated thyroid hormone levels during pregnancy can lead to a goiter in the baby. 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 doesn’t affect the baby.



Takeaway

Antithyroid medications have been linked to congenital disabilities. Be sure you talk with your healthcare providers about the best way to manage your condition during pregnancy.



Hyperthyroidism Symptoms Around Menopause

Excess thyroid hormone leads to early menopause in 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 in ovarian cysts. The risk is lower in people with hyperthyroidism than in people with hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).



Treatments for Female Hyperthyroidism Symptoms

There are a few options for treating hyperthyroidism, including medications, radioactive iodine, and surgery.

Medications for Hyperthyroid Symptoms

Antithyroid medications include methimazole (MMI) and propylthiouracil (PTU), which block the production of thyroid hormones.

Beta-blockers are blood pressure medications that lessen the effect of thyroid hormones on your body. They’re 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, they’ve 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 baby’s 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. While it’s a cure for hyperthyroidism, it can lead to the opposite problem—hypothyroidism—if too much of the gland is destroyed.

You can’t have RAI while pregnant because of risks to the baby. Healthcare providers generally advise preventing pregnancy six to 12 months after this treatment due to the effects of radiation on your eggs.

Thyroid Surgery

In some cases, surgeons remove part or all of the thyroid gland. This is called a thyroidectomy. This surgery is also a cure for hyperthyroidism but can lead to an underactive thyroid. If you do end up with low thyroid hormone levels, you’ll need to take thyroid replacement hormones for the rest of your life.

Radiofrequency Ablation

Thyroid radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an increasingly popular alternative to RAI or thyroid surgery as it only affects the target nodule and leaves the rest of the thyroid gland intact. This minimally invasive procedure uses radio waves to generate heat and cause tissue death (necrosis), shrinking the nodule and causing it to scar over.

RFA is mainly used to treat solid, noncancerous (benign) nodules. This in-office procedure performed under local anesthesia is 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.

Read the original article on Verywell Health.