Thyroid Issues
Menopausal symptoms usually manifest more as you age. For some women, they get worse over time. But what if they’re actually symptoms of hypothyroidism? Today we discuss thyroid issues and how to treat them.
This may be more common than you think because their symptoms are very much alike. That’s why many menopausal women just brush any discomfort aside, thinking that it’s normal.
Because it may not be normal, a thyroid test should be in order. Learn more about how menopause and thyroid issues are related in this post.
The Thyroid Gland & Thyroid Issues
Your thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ just below your larynx. It regulates your metabolism, controls various organ functions, helps in brain development, and maintains your bone density.
And it does so by secreting two hormones:
- T3 hormone (Triiodothyronine)
- T4 hormone (Thyroxine)
Do Thyroid Hormones Affect Menopausal Women?
Symptoms of menopause can often look like hypothyroidism. So, if your family has a history of thyroid disease, it can be a little harder for you to manage the symptoms.
Research shows that existing thyroid imbalances usually get worse because of menopause. So if you have hypothyroidism, dealing with menopausal symptoms can be more challenging.
Researchers also found a link between your levels of estrogen and thyroid hormones, although more research is needed to understand their relationship.
Many things can throw off your thyroid hormone level, including your stress levels, diet, lifestyle, and environment. Everyone’s experience is different, but these are the most common symptoms:
- Hot flashes/flushes
- Weight gain
- Mood swings
- Vaginal dryness
- Fatigue
- Brain fog
- Constipation
- Elevated cholesterol levels
- Hair loss
So, just to be sure that your hot flashes/flushes are simply because of menopause and not an underlying problem, consult with your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.
4 Thyroid Tests to Check Your Thyroid Function (If You Are Experiencing Thyroid Issues)
Because hypothyroidism and menopause symptoms are very similar, making sure that your thyroid gland is functioning correctly through a simple blood test will help you address your symptoms more effectively.
Here are the thyroid function tests you may be asked to get:
TSH test
The TSH test looks at the concentration of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in your bloodstream.
If it’s below normal, it means you have an overactive thyroid. If it’s high, what you thought are menopause symptoms might be symptoms of hypothyroidism.
T4 test
The T4 test detects the T4 hormone levels in your blood. If the results show it to be higher than expected, you may have hyperthyroidism.
T3 test
The T3 test is more of a confirmatory test that doctors use to see if you have hyperthyroidism.
But because your thyroid doesn’t substantially decrease the production of this hormone until issues start arising, doctors seldom use this to check for hypothyroidism.
TSI test
Thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI) is a hormone found in people suffering from Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disease that affects your thyroid functions. And to check for this, they use the TSI test.
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