Dr. Lara Paraskos, Endocrinologist with Baptist Health South Florida, says women are more likely to have thyroid issues, because most thyroid issues are secondary to autoimmune diseases and women, in general, have more autoimmune diseases than men.

She also says the TSH is a blood test that will tell if the thyroid is over or under functioning. The TSH result that is high usually indicates hypothyroid or underactive thyroid, and the one that is low can indicate hyperactive or overactive thyroid. She recommends women to start checking the thyroid at least once every five years, starting at age 35.