Don't think that these symptoms are just "sub-health". In fact, they are very likely to indicate that you have "hypothyroidism" (abbreviated as hypothyroidism). Experts say that hypothyroidism is most common in middle-aged women and is easily misdiagnosed and missed.
High incidence rate in women over 40
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped organ, weighing only about 6 grams, located in front of the trachea in the neck. Under normal circumstances, it cannot be felt by hand. As the thyroid produces two hormones - thyroxine and triiodothyronine, these hormones regulate the body's metabolism, and are related to all aspects of human life, such as aging, emotions, and disease. For example, someone who is significantly overweight may have hypothyroidism, while someone who is very thin may have hyperthyroidism.
Vague symptoms and high misdiagnosis rate
Unlike hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism does not have obvious symptoms such as "enlarged neck" or "bulging eyes", so patients often overlook it and are easily misdiagnosed or missed by doctors. The symptoms and signs of hypothyroidism are similar to those of other common diseases, and are often mistaken for other conditions such as pregnancy, menopause, or depression. For example, memory loss may be mistaken as a natural phenomenon of aging; constipation may be attributed to lack of exercise; weight gain may be understood as middle-aged weight gain... Experts say that women over the age of 35 should have their TSH (thyroid hormone level) checked every 5 years to determine if their thyroid function is abnormal.
Blood tests for easy diagnosis
Although hypothyroidism can present in various ways, doctors can easily diagnose "hypothyroidism" through a simple blood test, which measures the level of thyroid hormones in the blood, combined with clinical examinations, such as checking if the skin is dry and peeling, if the nails are thin and brittle, and if there is joint and muscle pain.
In fact, there are many causes of hypothyroidism, with the most common being a disease called "Hashimoto's thyroiditis", where the body's defense system attacks the thyroid, weakening its normal function. Another common cause is iodine deficiency. If the diet lacks sufficient iodine, the thyroid cannot function properly. Therefore, experts recommend that patients with hypothyroidism eat more iodine-rich foods, such as oysters, salmon, tuna, eggs, and lamb.
