Just one test will show if everything is fine with your thyroid at 50+

After 50 years, the risk of thyroid dysfunction increases, while symptoms often remain unnoticed.

As reported by BAKU.WS, endocrinologist Anna Vadimovna Bregovskaya explained in an interview with "Rambler" how to recognize changes and when treatment is required.

According to the specialist, the structure of the thyroid gland changes with age - the organ may decrease in size and shift lower in the neck area. At the same time, the level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which regulates the activity of the gland, usually increases. This condition does not always indicate disease but requires regular monitoring.

"The prevalence of hypothyroidism is about 4.6% on average, however, the rate depends on the region and level of iodine consumption. Women suffer from this disease 3-9 times more often than men, probably due to the higher frequency of autoimmune thyroiditis, which causes 84% of hypothyroidism cases," the doctor notes.

According to Anna Bregovskaya, the problem is complicated by the fact that symptoms of hypothyroidism often go unnoticed. Many people mistake constant fatigue, dry skin, or weight gain for natural signs of aging.

The function of the thyroid gland can also be affected by long-term use of certain medications, excess or lack of iodine, and chronic inflammatory processes. All of these can gradually change the hormonal background without pronounced symptoms.

What is subclinical hypothyroidism

This is a condition in which the TSH level is elevated, but the thyroxine (T4) level remains normal. At the same time, a person may feel quite well. The term "subclinical" means that the disease has no obvious manifestations, but it can already be detected through laboratory tests. The diagnosis is made if TSH is above normal, while T4 remains within acceptable values - this may be the first signal of developing hypothyroidism.

"Subclinical hypothyroidism is a laboratory diagnosis that indicates that the thyroid gland is still coping with its functions but is working under strain. Usually, hormonal indicators remain within normal limits, so symptoms are absent or masked as a normal decrease in vitality. In many patients, this condition is discovered by chance - during a routine examination," explains the endocrinologist.