If you’re a woman over 35, you’re probably not too concerned over the fact that you may have an undiagnosed thyroid disorder. While you may suffer some unpleasant side effects, it’s hardly a fatal condition—and you have so many other things to worry about, right?
Unfortunately, many who women overlook the symptoms of thyroid disorders may pay for it with their lives. As many as one in every eight American women will develop a thyroid disorder at some point in their lives, with the risk only increasing with age.
Although thyroid disorders are common, their symptoms appear gradually and are often misdiagnosed. For this reason, women should take note any of the following symptoms and report them to their doctors:
- Hyperthyroidism – Symptoms of an overactive thyroid include anxiety, heart palpitations, diarrhea, hair loss, increased appetite and unexplained weight loss.
- Hypothyroidism – Symptoms of an underactive thyroid include dry skin, brittle hair and nails, constipation, depression, lack of energy, an intolerance to cold, memory or cognition problems and irregular menstrual periods (heavy or interrupted periods lasting longer than five days).
Undiagnosed thyroid disorders in women have been linked to a number of deadly conditions, such as thyroid cancer, heart disease, and sudden coma. In most cases, there is no cure for these complications and the only chance for survival is immediate surgery or lifelong treatment.
Women who have a strong family history of thyroid disorders, type-1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis should have their blood tested regularly for thyroid disorders. Levels can rise slowly over time, so hormone level testing should be done at least every five years.
Protect the women you know from suffering an undiagnosed thyroid disorder! Send them a link to this article or call the attorneys at Gray and White today at 888-450-4456 for information on filing a Kentucky medical malpractice claim.