Let's talk hyperthyroidism & perimenopause
Wondering if there is a link between perimenopause and an overactive thyroid? There is a massive overlap in symptoms, but on top of that, you can also be at a higher risk of developing hyperthyroidism throughout perimenopause.
Let’s dive a little deeper into the relationship between perimenopause and an overactive thyroid gland.
Perimenopause & an overactive thyroid
IS HYPERTHYROIDISM COMMON DURING PERIMENOPAUSE?
Statistically speaking, hyperthyroidism is more likely to be seen during perimenopause for women.
Graves' disease is most commonly diagnosed in women and between the age of 40-60. So although it might not be as common as an underactive thyroid, it's still one we want to watch out for during the perimenopausal years.
LET’S LOOK AT THE SYMPTOMS
There is a huge overlap in symptoms when we look at perimenopause and an overactive thyroid. So this can leave a lot of women wondering which is to blame.
Symptoms that can occur with both perimenopause and hyperthyroidism include:
Irregular periods
Hot flushes
Increased sweating and intolerance to heat
Irritability
Anxiety
Intolerance to stress
Insomnia
Fatigue and lethargy
Brain fog
Thinning hair and hair loss
Digestive symptoms including bloating, gas and diarrhoea
Why are these two conditions linked?
This all comes down to the fluctuating hormones that occur throughout the transition into menopause. The constant changes place a heavy demand on your thyroid to regulate and stay balanced. Depending on your unique makeup, this can develop into either an overactive or underactive thyroid (as Hashimoto’s is also common in this age group!)
There are also direct hormonal mechanisms that can influence thyroid hormones. For example, low progesterone can trigger autoimmune pathways, which may explain why Graves’ is more common as progesterone drops during perimenopause.
Then there is the role of oestrogen - it increases thyroxine-binding globulin, which is a good thing for those with excess thyroid hormone. During perimenopause, oestrogen tends to rapidly increase, only to crash down. So you may find that your symptoms improve for a time, only to flare back up as soon as your oestrogen drops.
I THINK I’VE DEVELOPED HYPERTHYROIDISM DURING PERIMENOPAUSE - WHAT SHOULD I DO?
Stay tuned for some specific thyroid support steps in a future article. But in the meantime, here is what I suggest:
Investigate - get tested to see if your thyroid is playing a role. There is no point guessing when there are options available to tell us what is happening with your thyroid function! We want to look at TSH, antibodies, T4 and T3.
Get to know your symptoms - although there are countless symptoms of perimenopause and an overactive thyroid, yours are unique to you. Once you know your symptoms, it makes it easier to see patterns and triggers.
Educate yourself about thyroid disease - I have plenty of articles right here on the site to help you get started!
NEED SOME GUIDANCE TO MANAGE YOUR HYPERTHYROIDISM?
I cover what you need to know to manage an overactive thyroid naturally in my course, the Hyperthyroid and Graves’ Disease Recovery Program.
This comprehensive program includes:
6 modules covering the most important information you need to understand your overactive thyroid and how to support it naturally
Resources on thyroid testing and which tests will give you the best overview of your thyroid function
Steps to help you identify triggers and avoid thyroid flares
6 restorative Naturopathic Yoga sessions
Thyroid meditations
A BONUS 4 step gut healing protocol (because many of the triggers for your thyroid are found in the gut!)