Menopause and the Link to Hypothyroid

Proper thyroid function is essential to healthy metabolism. It's not your imagination. Menopause and thyroid problems often occur together.

Hypothyroidism, or low thyroid, is fairly common in menopausal and middle-aged women. Fluctuating hormone levels at menopause appear to be a significant trigger for thyroid malfunction. Sadly, this is a common disorder that often goes unrecognized.

This small, butterfly-shaped gland, located behind the adam’s apple in the neck, is of great importance to overall wellness.

A person suffering from hypothyroid might have either high or low blood pressure, may experience chronic constipation (sluggish colon), and may experience severe depression, including post-partum depression. A person may also suffer from unexplained weight gain,or the inability to lose weight, regardless of exercise and dietary changes.

Hypothyroid has been called 'the great imitator', for even IF your doctor is correctly suspicious, blood tests may not reveal anything out of order. Many of us have complained to our doctor about fatigue, depression, sensitivity to cold, chronic skin problems, weight gain , decreased concentration and memory function and fluid retention—all of which are known symptoms of low thyroid.

In the beginning stages, these symptoms are all the more likely to be attributed to other factors. If we insist with our complaints, we may be told that we are “just depressed” (Here comes the Paxil...) or that perhaps we just need more estrogen. ( And here comes the Premarin...) What we may already be experiencing is ‘sub-clinical hypothyroid'. This means that blood test results are showing to be within normal range, but the patient is actually symptomatic for low thyroid function.

Since many physicians tend to focus a great deal of attention on test results, a patient's symptoms may simply be dismissed, ignored or misinterpreted. The subtle nature of this hormone imbalance can be frustrating, to say the least.

Skin problems, such as acne, psoriasis and eczema, along with hair loss, may accompany the condition. One may have frequent headaches, migraines, and memory problems. There may be loss of sexual desire and increased cholesterol numbers. On top of all of this-- insomnia and profound fatigue . Nearly every system in the body is impacted by thyroid function.

Hypothyroidism often co-exists with estrogen dominance. Progesterone is manufactured in the presence of adequate thyroid hormones, nutrients, such as vitamin A, and certain enzymes. Too much estrogen, in relation to progesterone, may suppress secretion of thyroid hormones and inhibit conversion of T4 (inactive thyroid hormone) to T3 (the biologically active form). Without sufficient conversion, the progesterone deficit worsens, creating a vicious cycle! Adding fuel to the fire is excess cortisol, due to chronic stress. Like estrogen, cortisol is a thyroid-inhibitor.

The good news? Hypothyroid and hyperthyroid are treatable conditions, especially if caught early. Make note of your particular symptoms and work with your doctor to uncover imbalances that may be affecting your overall wellness. Do not attempt to self-treat this disorder. Coexistent low thyroid can, and often does, aggravate other illnesses. More than one condition may need to be treated simultaneously.

If there is compromised function, prescription drugs and/or nutritional supplements may be used to treat the imbalances.

Some reported symptoms of hypothyroid--

Severe fatigue

Insomnia

Intolerance to cold

Persistent low body temperature (less than 98 degrees consistently)

Diffuse muscle and joint pain (fibromyalgia)

Brain fog--mentally unfocused, memory problems

Goiter

Dry skin

Dry, coarse, brittle hair

Hair easily falls out

Slow speech

Slow pulse rate , despite low physical fitness

Cold skin

Unexplained weight gain

Brittle fingernails

Prone to adult acne or eczema

Reduced sex drive

Feelings of anxiety, often leading to panic

Suspected triggers of autoimmune thyroiditis--

Hormone fluctuations/menopause onset

Major Surgery

Severe, sudden changes in lifestyle

Neck trauma, such as whiplash

Intravenous iodine contrast tests

Chronic Stress

X-rays

Chemical exposures, such as fluoride, chlorine

Food allergies that are moderate to severe

Conditions that may co-exist include—

Rheumatoid arthritis

Fibromyalgia Syndrome

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Sleep apnea/excessive snoring

Endometriosis

Edema (swelling)

Adrenal fatigue/exhaustion

Chronic constipation/unhealthy, sluggish colon

Carpal tunnel/tendonitis

A personal note from the webmaster: After nearly two years of hormone misery, induced by sudden, surgical menopause, my nurse practitioner agreed to prescribe a small dose of Armour thryoid for a trial period. My TSH numbers were over 2 but not yet approaching 3. Usually this is considered normal.Four months later, my energy has improved, carpal tunnel symptoms have improved and best of all, my brain "fog" has lifted for the most part. Also, though I am not losing weight, the cycle of gain, gain, gain seems to have been halted for now.This is only my own personal experience and is not intended to diagnose or provide treatment guidance for your specific symptoms. I share this, however, to illustrate the importance of symptoms --and having a health care person who will listen to you about the symptoms.

Quotes from experts:

“Despite increased awareness in the medical community about the issues and interventions surrounding menopause, tremendous numbers of women still suffer from menopausal difficulties…Frequently, the underlying hypothyroidism is such a controlling factor that simply correcting it returns the whole system to fairly normal functioning. Menopause continues, but it is a more mild, gradual, and comfortable process. If your thyroid is low, your hot flashes will be much more pronounced, much more frequent, and more disconcerting. This is because thyroid is your energy throttle, your gas pedal. You need energy to go through the change gracefully.”

~Richard Shames, M.D., (Thyroid Power, page 116)

“Millions of Americans wake up each day with hypothyroidism, a disease you don’t even know you have. You’re fatigued, your hair is falling out, you’re gaining weight and depressed. You don’t even think to mention the symptoms to your doctor because you assume age, not enough sleep, or too little exercise are to blame. Unfortunately, you don’t recognize the symptoms of hypothyroidism, a condition that affects an estimated 13 million Americans. If you’re a woman, you’re up against a one-in-eight chance of developing a thyroid disorder during your lifetime. When you’re living with undiagnosed hypothyroidism, you’re not living well."

~Mary Shoman (Living Well with Hypothyroidism: What Your Doctor Doesn’t Tell You, page 1)

Homepage of John Lowe, M.D.

Broda O. Barnes, M.D., Research Foundation, Inc.

Information about Armour Thyroid

Disclaimer: This information is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease or other medical condition. This information is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Please consult with your doctor should you have specific health questions or concerns.