Hypothyroidism in menopause

Hypothyroidism is a disease that occurs due to a deficiency of thyroid hormones in the body - a decrease in the level of thyroid hormones in the blood is observed. Hypothyroidism during menopause usually manifests itself in its primary form. Due to atrophic processes in the thyroid gland, the work of the thyroid cells is disrupted.

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Causes hypothyroidism in menopause.

Although many women experience hypothyroidism during menopause, the connection between the thyroid and menopause is rarely considered. The thyroid is a key link in the process of metabolism, energy exchange, body temperature and weight control, and also affects speech, thought processes, sex life and sleep. The cause of disorders can be factors such as poor nutrition, stress, negative environmental influences, and hereditary problems. In addition, the development of hypothyroidism can begin due to dysfunction of other organs (for example, the adrenal glands), which affect the activity of the thyroid gland.

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Symptoms hypothyroidism in menopause.

The symptoms of menopause and the signs of hypothyroidism are quite similar, because the reproductive system is closely connected with the thyroid gland. During menopause, a woman's body reduces the production of sex hormones, and this is a natural process. With hypothyroidism, there is also a deficiency in hormone production, which is why a woman feels tired, suffers from poor concentration, weight gain, hair loss - these same signs appear during early menopause. The most noticeable symptoms of hypothyroidism are conditions that arise due to a slowdown in metabolic processes - this is inhibition and apathy, decreased performance and mental activity, a state of general weakness, slow speech, impaired memory, swelling of the limbs and a puffy face, as well as a feeling of coldness.

Complications and consequences

The most dangerous complication of this disease is hypothyroid or myxedema coma, which can lead to death.

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Diagnostics hypothyroidism in menopause.

The cause of symptoms that are characteristic of both hypothyroidism and menopause can be identified by testing blood for hormone levels. The parameters of laboratory analysis that help diagnose hypothyroidism are the levels of free T3 and T4, as well as the level of basal TSH.

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Differential diagnosis

It is usually impossible to diagnose hypothyroidism in time, since at an early stage its symptoms are very non-specific, and in addition, they can imitate various non-thyroid diseases (this is due to the fact that the lesions that are detected with a lack of thyroid hormones are of a multi-organ nature). Often, the symptoms of this disease are taken for manifestations of menopause or the natural aging process of the body.

Treatment hypothyroidism in menopause.

In case of hypothyroidism that developed during menopause, the HRT method is mainly used as a treatment to stabilize hormone levels. Such drugs contain a complex of progesterone and estrogen analogues. In addition, a suitable diet is developed for the patient, taking into account her weight, age, and energy expenditure of the body during working and weekend days.

Medicines

Among the medications used to treat hypothyroidism during menopause are the following:

• Thyroidin (a medicine created on the basis of dried thyroid gland of animal origin);
• L-thyroxine, which is an analogue of the hormone T4;
• Triiodothyronine, which is an analogue of the hormone T3;
• Tireotom and Tireocomb are combination drugs.

Hormonal treatment with thyroid drugs can last for several months or even years. The duration will depend on the severity of the disease, as well as its form.

Folk remedies

The most natural way to support thyroid function is to eat a healthy diet. To improve T3 levels, you need to take more zinc and vitamin A. It is also important to eat more iodized foods. To convert T4 to T3, you need to take selenium. In general, fresh foods are the best sources of a variety of nutrients.

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Herbal treatment

The use of individual herbs helps to create the right balance between the hormones progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone during menopause. In the right ratio, these hormones contribute to the healthy functioning of the body's endocrine system. To support the process of cell metabolism in the thyroid gland, you need to use sage, as well as hops.

Homeopathy

If hypothyroidism creates only minor disturbances in the body, treatment can be carried out without using hormonal agents. In this case, the use of homeopathic preparations will be effective.

Thanks to homeopathy, the body gets the opportunity to fight the disease on its own, which allows for a complete recovery with successful treatment. It should be taken into account that homeopathic therapy is not a quick process, its duration can be 1-2 years. It should also be carried out very carefully, because in some cases it is necessary to take the drug up to 6 times a day at equal time intervals.

Among the homeopathic medicines that help with hypothyroidism are: Spongia, as well as Tarentula, Ignatia, Baryta carbonica and Lachesis.

How to lose weight with hypothyroidism and menopause?

To lose weight with hypothyroidism during menopause, you need to include foods with a high iodine content in your daily diet. Such products help maintain the body's vital functions and at the same time do not increase body weight. Among them:

• Products with a high content of tyrosine (such as yoghurts and milk, as well as almonds, lentils, pumpkin seeds and sesame seeds, as well as fish, turkey and chicken meat, etc.). At the same time, dairy products should be exclusively low-fat, to make the diet not only as effective as possible, but also harmless;
• Iodine-containing products - fish and various seafood, as well as sea salt in limited quantities. In addition to them, it is necessary to take iodized tablets or powders based on natural algae. It should be taken into account that before using such drugs, you must consult with your doctor, because sometimes these drugs have contraindications;
• Iodized salt (but it should be remembered that its use is permitted no more than once a week). Frequent use is prohibited;
• It is necessary to consume more foods containing protein - it is found in chicken eggs, dietary poultry, and also various seafood;
• The daily diet should also include foods that contain a lot of selenium. Among such products are chicken and salmon, unrefined grains, lean beef and dairy products, tuna, garlic and brewer's yeast, as well as broccoli and Brazil nuts.

To lose weight, you must definitely consume vitamin B and polyunsaturated fatty acids, because they have a positive effect on the overall balance of hormones and also help improve the condition of the body. You should also drink coffee, because it stimulates the thyroid gland and can completely eliminate most signs of hypothyroidism. Coffee includes such components as vitamin B, as well as magnesium.

It is also important to eat protein foods - cheeses, cottage cheese and lean meat. Thanks to these products, metabolism is stabilized, and the body receives the necessary nutrients and energy. But at the same time, you cannot eat too much of this food - the diet must be made up in accordance with the recommendations of the attending physician. You cannot make up a diet on your own - you need to consult a specialist who can choose a diet plan suitable for the patient.

There are also foods that should not be consumed on this diet, as they interfere with effective weight loss with hypothyroidism:

• Any soy products are tofu cheese with soy milk, and in addition to this, miso paste. Soy cannot be eaten because it suppresses the functioning of the thyroid gland, which is unacceptable in case of hypothyroidism;
• Any vegetables that are part of the cruciferous group - for example, kohlrabi, Brussels sprouts and white cabbage, as well as broccoli and turnips, as well as rutabaga with mustard. You should not exclude them from your diet completely, because they contain many useful substances, but the amount should be seriously limited;
• It is forbidden to drink water in its raw form (from the tap), because it contains elements such as chlorine, fluoride, etc., which block the process of iodine absorption;
• If the patient has an increased sensitivity to gluten, the amount of products consumed that contain it should be reduced. This prohibition especially concerns wheat flour;
• The daily volume of liquid (plain water) should not exceed 1.5 liters, because excess causes severe swelling, which results in a deterioration in the condition, since not only weight gain begins, but also the development of other problems (for example, exacerbation of the disease).

Prevention

The most effective way to prevent hypothyroidism of the thyroid gland is considered to be the use of seafood, which contains a large amount of iodine, as well as regular use of iodized salt. Doctors also recommend periodic use of drugs containing iodine (for example, "Iodomarin"). The main requirement is to comply with the daily intake of iodine - it is 100-200 micrograms. If you take drugs containing iodine without control, this can negatively affect the functioning of the thyroid gland and provoke a worsening of the disease.

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Forecast

Hypothyroidism during menopause, if the patient is on compensatory treatment, usually does not cause much discomfort (except for the need to regularly take L-thyroxine) and has a favorable prognosis.

When hypothyroid coma develops, death occurs in approximately 80% of cases.

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