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Identifying Thyroid Disease As We Age

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MPCT Hospital
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:

  • 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.

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