High levels of radioiodine mean that your thyroid makes too much of the thyroid hormone. The radioiodine collects in your thyroid because your thyroid uses iodine to make thyroid hormone. For this test, you swallow a liquid or capsule that holds a small dose of radioactive iodine (radioiodine). Depending on the results, your doctor might do another blood test to check levels of one or both thyroid hormones in your blood. TSH tells your thyroid to make thyroid hormones. Testing the level of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in your blood can help your doctor figure out if your thyroid is overactive or underactive. Your doctor may also give you a physical exam and check your neck for thyroid nodules.ĭepending on your symptoms, your doctor may also do other tests, such as: Your doctor may start by asking about your health history and if any of your family members has had thyroid disease. The symptoms are the same as many other health problems. It can be hard to tell if you have a thyroid disease. This is especially true of women who have gone through menopause or who are already at high risk of osteoporosis. In fact, hyperthyroidism might affect your bones before you have any of the other symptoms of the condition. Hyperthyroidism raises your risk for osteoporosis, a condition that causes weak bones that break easily. Changes in your eyes that can include bulging of the eyes, redness, or irritation.Fewer and lighter menstrual periods than normal.Diarrhea or more bowel movements than normal.Rapid or irregular heartbeat or pounding of your heart.Weight loss, even if you eat the same or more food (most but not all people lose weight).But, over time, a faster metabolism can cause symptoms such as: Thyroid disease, especially hypothyroidism, is more likely to develop after menopause.Īt first, you might not notice the signs or symptoms of hyperthyroidism. Sometimes, symptoms of thyroid problems are mistaken for menopause symptoms. Thyroid problems during pregnancy can cause health problems for the mother and the baby. This can make it harder for you to get pregnant. When thyroid disease affects the menstrual cycle, it also affects ovulation. This can lead to early menopause (before age 40). If your body's immune system causes thyroid disease, other glands, including your ovaries, may be involved. Thyroid disease also can cause your periods to stop for several months or longer, a condition called amenorrhea. Too much or too little thyroid hormone can make your periods very light, heavy, or irregular. Your thyroid helps control your menstrual cycle. One in eight women will develop thyroid problems during her lifetime.

(2009).Women are more likely than men to have thyroid disease. A descriptive study of alopecia patterns and their relation to thyroid dysfunction. Thyroid function testing in patients with newly diagnosed hyperlipidemia. Hypothyroidism and obesity: An intriguing link. Psychiatric and cognitive manifestations of hypothyroidism. Thyroid disorders in patients with newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis is associated with poor initial treatment response evaluated by disease activity score in 28 joints-C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP): An observational cohort study. What your period is trying to tell you about your thyroid. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

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