Thyroid issues show up in women far more often than in men, and if you look around any office or WhatsApp group, you’ll hear the same story again and again. Someone’s always tired. Weight is creeping up or down for no clear reason. Hair is falling like crazy. Periods are off. Mood is all over the place. And yet, thyroid rarely comes up as the first suspect.So why women? A big reason is hormones. The thyroid and female hormones are constantly talking to each other. Puberty, pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause all push the thyroid to adjust. Sometimes it does. Sometimes it doesn’t. Autoimmune conditions, where the body mistakenly attacks its own thyroid, are also much more common in women. Add genetics into the mix, and the odds tilt even further.Now bring in the working woman factor. Long hours, skipped meals, late nights, constant deadlines, and that never-ending mental load of juggling work and home. Stress doesn’t cause thyroid problems overnight, but it can definitely mess with hormone balance and make existing issues worse. Irregular eating and poor sleep don’t help either. The body notices, even if we ignore it. “Women are already under a natural risk of developing thyroid problems because of the hormonal changes that occur with menstruation, childbirth, or menopause issues. Added to these is the rigorous office life that creates stress for them, lack of adequate sleep, not taking meals regularly, and so on. Their stress hormones inhibit the proper use or production level of thyroid hormones in the body. Gradually, the problem leads to a deficiency like hyperthyroid or hypothyroid issues in a woman who battles against fatigue all life,” Dr. Rakhee Ritesh Sahu, Associate Director-Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Dr L H Hiranandani Hospital Powai, Mumbai told TOI Health. A 2023 Korean cohort study of female workers found shift workers had 1.81 times higher odds of subclinical hypothyroidism than day workers, after adjusting for age, BMI, smoking, and alcohol. “Our results showed that shift work had a higher risk of subclinical hypothyroidism than non-shift work and that there was a significant difference in the risk of subclinical hypothyroidism according to the shift work type. These findings suggest that the shift work type can be considered in future thyroid function tests and evaluations,” the researchers said. The findings of the study have been published in the Annals of Occupation and Environmental Medicine. A 2020 systematic review analyzed how thyroid diseases reduce working capacity, with hypothyroid patients losing up to 30 workdays during hormone withdrawal; women comprised over 70% of cases, facing longer recovery times.What’s surprising is how little awareness there still is. Many symptoms sound “normal.” Fatigue is blamed on work. Weight gain is blamed on age. Mood swings are blamed on stress. Doctors may treat each symptom separately without connecting the dots. And because thyroid problems don’t always scream for attention, women keep pushing through.There’s also the idea that thyroid is a “minor” issue. Take a pill and move on. But untreated or poorly managed thyroid problems can affect fertility, heart health, mental health, and overall quality of life.To clear confusion around thyroid problems and to help women identify the symptoms, we asked Dr. Rakhee Ritesh Sahu a few questions relevant to this:

Are there jobs or work environments that are more dangerous?

Although thyroid issues can occur among women from all occupations, certain types of employment that involve extended hours of work, night shifts, high levels of responsibility, and chronic deadlines make it more likely that such problems will occur. It is worth noting that occupations that involve stress and not necessarily the title of the job are of prime concern here. Unscheduled routines make it difficult for the body’s routines of operations, such as those involving hormones, to run smoothly.

Do thyroid-related symptoms commonly be confused with stress or burnout?

Yes, quite often. Symptoms such as being tired all day, having weight fluctuations, hair loss, mood fluctuations, difficulty concentrating, and sleep problems are common symptoms that are attributed to work-related stress. Women tend to accept such symptoms as what needs to be expected in such stressful lives and, therefore, issues related to the thyroid could go unnoticed for years.

What are the early warning signs that working women should be aware of?

Certain early symptoms should also not be taken lightly. These include: persistent tiredness after resting, unexplained weight gain or loss, excessive hair fall, dry skin, irregular menses, heightened sensitivity to hot or cold, frequent anxiety, feelings of sadness, and inability to concentrate at work. If a person is experiencing any of these symptoms that linger for several weeks, he or she needs to seek medical help.

How can women balance demanding jobs while managing thyroid conditions?

With proper treatment and adjustment in their lifestyle, women suffering from thyroid problems can easily lead an active professional life. Adherence to medication, having regular eating times, focusing on sleeping, and managing stress effectively would be essential. Adjusting their routine by having a break time in their working hours, practicing some sort of exercise, or eating properly would make a great difference. They could also effectively address their work problems when suffering from tiredness.

Can untreated thyroid problems affect fertility or pregnancy outcomes for working women?

If left untreated, thyroid issues can lead to complications in menstruation, fertility, and pregnancy. Issues such as irregular menses, infertility, miscarriages, and complications in pregnancy can arise if thyroid levels are not regulated. With early detection and treatment, most women can plan for healthy pregnancies while still attending to their professional obligations.

What advice would you give to working women to prevent or manage thyroid issues effectively?

For women, regular check-ups concerning health are of the essence, especially when family cases concerning thyroid diseases are evident. Women should not be lenient to their perceived persistent symptoms and pass them off as “just stress.” Stress management, eating right, regular exercise, and adequate rest are preventive measures to take. Above all, early consultation with a doctor and consistent follow-up can keep them healthy without sacrificing the career.Medical experts consulted This article includes expert inputs shared with TOI Health by: Dr. Rakhee Ritesh Sahu, Associate Director-Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Dr L H Hiranandani Hospital Powai, MumbaiInputs were used to explain why working women are at a risk of thyroid. The doctor also suggested preventive measures.