How does your thyroid affect perimenopause?

If you’ve been noticing symptoms like fatigue, weight changes, or mood swings during perimenopause, you might wonder: is this just hormones, or could my thyroid be involved too? The truth is, your thyroid health and perimenopause often overlap, and understanding the connection can help you make sense of what your body is going through.

What does the thyroid do?

The thyroid is a small gland in your neck that plays a big role in regulating your metabolism, energy, and mood. It produces hormones - mainly thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) - that influence nearly every system in your body. When thyroid function slows (hypothyroidism) or speeds up (hyperthyroidism), it can cause a wide range of symptoms that sometimes look a lot like perimenopause.

How thyroid and perimenopause symptoms overlap

Here’s where it gets tricky: both thyroid problems and perimenopause can lead to tiredness, brain fog, weight changes, hair loss, and irregular periods. That’s why many women in their 40s and 50s may be unsure whether to blame their thyroid or perimenopause for how they feel. Sometimes, it’s a bit of both.

The role of hormones in thyroid function

Oestrogen and progesterone, the hormones that fluctuate most during perimenopause, also interact with thyroid function. Oestrogen influences how much thyroid hormone circulates in your blood, while progesterone helps regulate immune balance, which can affect autoimmune thyroid conditions like Hashimoto’s disease. As levels shift in perimenopause, thyroid issues may become more noticeable, or even triggered for the first time.

When to test your thyroid during perimenopause

If your symptoms feel more extreme than typical perimenopause changes - or if they don’t improve with lifestyle adjustments - it may be worth testing your thyroid function. Blood tests can check your TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) and free thyroid hormone levels to see if your thyroid is under or overactive. This can help distinguish between thyroid disease and perimenopausal changes.

Supporting thyroid health in perimenopause

Lifestyle factors matter for both thyroid health and perimenopause. Eating a nutrient-rich diet with enough iodine, selenium, and zinc can support thyroid function. Managing stress and getting adequate rest are also essential, since both perimenopause and thyroid imbalance can affect sleep and energy levels.

If you’re diagnosed with a thyroid disorder, medication can restore balance, and treating thyroid problems often helps reduce the intensity of perimenopausal symptoms too.

Key takeaways

Thyroid symptoms and perimenopause changes can overlap, making it hard to tell them apart.
Hormonal shifts in perimenopause can influence thyroid function and may trigger new issues.
Testing your thyroid can help clarify what’s going on if symptoms feel severe or unusual.
Supporting your thyroid through nutrition, stress management, and medical care when needed can improve overall well-being in perimenopause.

References:

Usha, S. M. R., Bindu, C. M., & Chandrika, N. (2022). Thyroid Dysfunction: An Alternate Plausibility in Perimenopausal Women!. Journal of mid-life health, 13(4), 300–303. https://doi.org/10.4103/jmh.jmh_67_22

Uygur, M. M., Yoldemir, T., & Yavuz, D. G. (2018). Thyroid disease in the perimenopause and postmenopause period. Climacteric : the journal of the International Menopause Society, 21(6), 542–548. https://doi.org/10.1080/13697137.2018.1514004

Frank-Raue, K., & Raue, F. (2023). Thyroid Dysfunction in Periand Postmenopausal Women-Cumulative Risks. Deutsches Arzteblatt international, 120(18), 311–316. https://doi.org/10.3238/arztebl.m2023.0069

Panda, S., & Das, A. (2018). Analyzing Thyroid Dysfunction in the Climacteric. Journal of mid-life health, 9(3), 113–116. https://doi.org/10.4103/jmh.JMH_21_18