What You Should Know About Your Thyroid and Menopause

Symptoms of thyroid disease can be similar to postmenopausal symptoms. It’s not unusual for them to be incorrectly attributed to the menopause or even put down to depression.  To investigate the diagnosis, a blood test for thyroid function should be performed. Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism are ailments that need the combined medical expertise of an endocrinologist and a gynecologist. It is imperative that the diagnosis is made early so that timely interventions can be planned. Women who are undergoing menopause are the category at most risk.

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Beware of your symptoms and consult a specialist:

As patients, you should be aware of the signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism and let your doctor know if you have concerns about your thyroid function. If you are a woman experiencing symptoms of menopause, do not hesitate to discuss them with your doctor. If you feel that the symptoms are persisting despite appropriate therapy, it may be worthwhile to have your thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels checked. A blood sample is all that is needed to make the initial diagnosis of hypothyroidism, and treatment is easily achieved with thyroid replacement therapy.

Why do we feel different during menopause?

In menopause, our bodies naturally produce fewer reproductive hormones because we have less need for them during the second half of our lives. This is normal, and the transition for many women is a smooth one.

Women – Thyroid and Menopause

For many women, especially those who have experienced unrelenting stress in the years leading up to menopause, this change of life can bring with it uncomfortable symptoms like low energy, depression, fuzzy thinking, worsening memory, lower sex drive, hair loss, and easier weight gain. If you’ve had low thyroid function, you’re probably already all-too-familiar with these same symptoms! Indeed, many symptoms of hypothyroidism overlap with menopausal symptoms, making them difficult to tease apart. Further low thyroid function can also exacerbate menopause symptoms.

It’s also a good idea to get your thyroid checked. We recommend testing for:

• TSH levels
• Thyroid hormone levels (T3,T4).
• Thyroid antibodies.