The Link Between Menopause & Thyroid Conditions

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The thyroid is a small gland that lies in the front of the throat, which produces hormones that impact virtually every single tissue and organ in the body. And menopause, of course, is the change that occurs in a woman’s life when female hormone production declines, menstruation stops, and she is no longer able to bear children.

But, when the thyroid gland produces too much or too little thyroid hormone, it can cause several symptoms in a woman’s body that are quite similar to the symptoms of menopause. This can make it difficult for a woman to determine the underlying cause of health issues or body changes that she may be having as she gets older.

In this article, Austin, TX thyroid specialist Dr. Ruthie Harper discusses the link between thyroid conditions and perimenopause/ menopause, including how each affects the other, and what a woman can do to restore optimal hormone balance.

Estrogen and Thyroid Conditions

It can often be challenging to tell apart the symptoms of an underactive or overactive thyroid and menopause, because they are very similar.

Symptoms of an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) can include: fatigue, dry skin, weight gain, mood swings, mental fogginess, thinning hair, and more. That sounds a lot like many of the classic symptoms of menopause, doesn’t it?

And an overactive thyroid – or hyperthyroidism – can also produce similar symptoms to menopause, such as: hot flashes, heat intolerance, rapid or irregular heartbeat, and trouble sleeping.

Almost a decade ago this relationship began to be explored. In 2011 a clinical study published in the Journal of Thyroid Research reported that there exists strong evidence that estrogen may have direct effects on thyroid cells. So, leading up to menopause (“perimenopause”), and after menopause, when estrogen levels fall significantly, it makes sense that thyroid levels would be affected.

Is It Thyroid, Menopause or Both?

The transition to menopause typically begins between the ages of 45 to 55 years old. But thyroid disease can begin at any age.

Generally, hypothyroid problems are significantly more common in women of childbearing age. While hyperthyroidism is more commonly found in perimenopausal and menopausal women. This is believed to be because of the relationship between thyroid function and estrogen, which is the primary female sex hormone.

But a woman experiencing any of the symptoms listed above should never just assume that age-related changes in her body are attributable only to menopause or perimenopause.

The only definitive method to determine if troublesome symptoms are the result of a thyroid imbalance or menopause is through diagnostic blood testing, performed by a hormone expert such as Dr. Ruthie Harper in Austin, TX.

Why Diagnosing Thyroid Issues Matters

While many women try to just “ride out” the symptoms of perimenopause, ignoring underlying thyroid problems can dramatically increase the risk of complications that are associated with menopause. For example, during menopause, women are at a much greater risk of developing osteoporosis that can lead to debilitating bone fractures. But an overactive thyroid can significantly increase the risk of osteoporosis.

Another example is the risk of cardiovascular disease which increases in women during menopause. When a thyroid condition co-exists with menopause it increases the risk of dangerous heart disease.

In other words, thyroid problems may interact with menopause to increase the likelihood of developing a more serious disease or other complications.

Testing for Thyroid vs. Menopause

Austin, TX hormone and thyroid expert Dr. Ruthie Harper can perform tests to definitively diagnose whether your symptoms are the result of menopause, or whether you have an underlying thyroid disorder.

Both menopause and an underactive thyroid can be diagnosed with a thorough panel of blood tests, including:  

  • Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) – raised levels can indicate menopause.
  • Luteinizing hormone (LH) – persistently raised levels also indicate menopause.
  • Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) – a high level can indicate an underactive thyroid.
  • T3 and T4 – Dr. Harper can identify other thyroid conditions.
  • Thyroid antibody testing – may indicate Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
  • Dr. Harper also tests for Total T4, Free T4, Free T3, and Reverse T3, which are often ignored or not understood by doctors who are not thyroid experts

Treating Menopause and Thyroid Conditions

If testing reveals that a woman’s symptoms are due to her “change of life” Dr. Harper can prescribe 100% natural, safe and effective bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) to help reduce the symptoms associated with perimenopause.

Similarly, if a patient’s blood work reveals that thyroid problems are at play, Dr. Harper can offer the best thyroid treatments. She has been named one of the top 10 best thyroid doctors in the state of Texas and has a record of successful treatments for thyroid dysfunction using the most advanced, natural and integrative healthcare techniques.

It is important to take a holistic and integrative approach to both thyroid disorders and menopause because of how closely the two conditions often interact, and how easy it is for their symptoms to be confused. Thyroid and menopause hormone therapy should be part of a comprehensive program to get the entire body back in balance, so that you can lose weight, have more energy, improve hair & skin, sleep better, and continue to live your best life!

Treating thyroid disfunction and menopause comprehensively and simultaneously also ensure that you are not putting yourself at risk for life threating medical conditions, such as osteoporosis or heart disease.

Menopause & Thyroid Treatment – Austin, TX

With accurate diagnosis and comprehensive, integrative treatment and regulation of thyroid and menopause hormones, the outlook for patients with underlying thyroid disorders is excellent.

But the relationship between thyroid and menopause is quite complicated and requires an experienced and holistic expert like Dr. Ruthie Harper to be effectively diagnosed and treated.

If you live in the greater Austin, TX area, schedule a consultation today and take the first step toward getting your body and your life back in balance!

Austin, TX Menopause & Thyroid Treatment: (512) 343-9355

The Relationship Between Thyroid & Weight Loss

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Most doctors are aware that there is a complex relationship between thyroid disease, metabolism and gaining weight. Yet few physicians really understand how to test for, and successfully treat, the thyroid dysfunctions that can lead to unwanted weight gain.

Dr. Ruthie Harper in Austin, TX utilizes integrative health techniques, including in-depth testing of all thyroid hormone levels, and other diagnostic and nutritional tests, to provide a comprehensive approach to thyroid management that can increase metabolism and help with weight loss.

In this article she discusses how thyroid illnesses and imbalances can cause weight loss or gain.

How the Thyroid Influences Weight Loss & Gain

The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped endocrine gland in the front of the neck that makes thyroid hormones, and secrets them into the bloodstream. The blood then carries them to every tissue and organ within the body.

In addition to keeping the brain, heart, muscles, and other organs in working order, thyroid hormones help the body use energy and stay warm. These functions – known as “metabolism” – affect how we store energy in the form of weight gain or loss. So, when thyroid hormone levels are out of balance, the body can have trouble “burning” energy … and unwanted weight gain accumulates.

Hyperthyroidism and Weight Loss

Hyperthyroidism refers to a condition in which the thyroid gland is overactive – and produces too much thyroid hormone. If the thyroid is extremely overactive, the person will be burning too much energy – and they will require an increase in calories consumed, in order to maintain their body weight.

If a person with hyperthyroidism does not increase their intake of calories to offset the excess calories burned, they will lose weight. And, while there are many factors in addition to thyroid hormone that control appetite, on average the more serious the hyperthyroidism, the more weight will be lost.

However, ironically, since hyperthyroidism also increases a person’s appetite, some people with too much thyroid hormone may actually gain weight – if their increase in appetite causes them to consume more calories than they burn.  

When hyperthyroidism is treated, and hormone levels are returned to normal, it is also important that the patient reduce their calorie intake to normal levels. If a person has “gotten used to” eating more calories because of their extra energy expenditure during hyperthyroidism, they will gain weight when the hyperthyroidism is treated if they do not cut back.

Hypothyroidism and Weight Gain

Patients with hypothyroidism are not producing enough thyroid hormone, and therefore are not burning enough energy. As a result, they often feel cold and will typically undergo some unwanted weight gain.

And, as one would suspect, the more severe the hypothyroidism, the greater the weight gain. However, while some of this weight gain occurs in the form of excess fat accumulation, extra weight gain due to hypothyroidism can also be attributable to excess retention of salt and water.

According to the American Thyroid Association, in general, up to 10 pounds of body weight may be attributable to hypothyroidism. However, at our Austin, TX medical practice we have seen patients lose much more than this, once their thyroid levels were balanced and their metabolism levels were restored to normal.

Keep in mind, however, that massive weight gain is rarely attributable to hypothyroidism only. And, if weight gain is your only symptom of hypothyroidism, it is likely that the weight gain may be due to other factors.

The only surefire way to determine if hypothyroidism is responsible for your unwanted weight gain is to undergo thorough thyroid testing and diagnosis.

Dr. Ruthe Harper, MD in Austin, TX has been named one of the top 10 best thyroid doctors in the state of Texas. Her integrative approach to thyroid disorders and weight loss is successful because she holistically addresses all of the interconnected systems within the body.

Can Thyroid Treatment Help Me Lose Weight?

The American Thyroid Association reports that in clinical studies thyroid hormone treatment produces more weight loss than can be achieved by dieting alone.

Once hypothyroidism is treated and thyroid hormone levels are restored to balance, most patients can expect to lose about 10% of their body weight. With both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, rebalancing of the thyroid hormones typically results in a return to the body weight that the patient had before the thyroid condition developed.

And, once the patient’s hypothyroidism has been treated and thyroid hormone levels are in the normal range, their ability to gain or lose weight will be the same as “normal” individuals who do not have thyroid problems.

But it is important to remember that weight gain is a complex problem that may have multiple causes. That is why it is important to take a holistic and integrative approach to both thyroid disorders and weight loss. In other words, thyroid hormones should not be thought of as an isolated “weight loss tool”. Instead thyroid hormone therapy should be part of a comprehensive program to get the entire body back in balance, so that you can lose weight and maintain your weight loss over time.

Thyroid Treatment for Weight Loss – Austin, TX

There are many other factors besides thyroid imbalance, including heredity, other hormones, proteins, and more, that control energy expenditure, appetite, body weight, and weight loss or gain.

In addition to balancing your thyroid hormones, Dr. Ruthie Harper can help you achieve and sustain weight loss with our “skinnyDNA” program. This system identifies your unique genetic makeup and enables us to develop a customized weight loss program based on your individual DNA.  

If you suspect your weight gain is related to a thyroid imbalance, or if you simply have been struggling to lose weight without success, Dr. Ruthie Harper in Austin, TX can help.

Schedule a consultation today and take the first step toward getting your body back in balance and your weight under control!  

Weight Loss & Thyroid Treatments – Austin, TX: (512) 343-9355