Comparison of the symptoms of menopause and symptoms of thyroid disease in Japanese women aged 35–59 years

Abstract

Objective In this study, we surveyed thyroid function abnormalities and menopausal symptoms in young as well as in menopausal women.

Methods We conducted a random survey among outpatients at our facility from September 2008 to June 2011. The study included 853 women aged 35–59 years. We assessed the subjects according to the Simplified Menopause Index, menstrual status, thyroid hormone measurements (thyroid stimulating hormone, free thyroxine, free triiodothyronine), the presence of Hashimoto's disease antibodies (anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody or anti-thyroglobulin antibody), the presence of Grave's disease (anti-TSH receptor antibody), markers of thyroid tumor (high thyroglobulin), and thyroid ultrasonography studies. The data were analyzed by means of the statistical program JMP version 8.0.

Results ‘Facial flushing’, ‘sweating’, and ‘thyroid tumor’ were all positively related with age and menstrual status. ‘Breathlessness and palpitations’ were positively related to Grave's disease. Moreover, ‘sweating’, ‘irritability’, and ‘stiff shoulders, low back pain, and joint pain’ were related to thyroid tumors. ‘Insomnia’ decreased with age. Patients with Hashimoto's disease were very rare because they were usually treated at other hospitals that specialize in thyroid disease.

Conclusion The symptoms of thyroid function abnormalities were shown to be very similar to menopausal symptoms and were found to occur in younger women before the onset of menopause. This study shows the need to differentiate menopausal symptoms from those of thyroid diseases.

Key words::

• MENOPAUSE
• JAPANESE WOMEN
• THYROID

Conflict of interest The authors report no conflict of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this paper.

Source of funding Nil.