The Link Between Menopause, Hormones & Thyroid
The thyroid is a tiny butterfly-shaped gland that lies in the front of the throat. It produces and delivers hormones that affect every single tissue and organ in the body in some way. While menopause, of course, is the “change of life” that occurs when a woman reaches the end of her childbearing years and her female hormone production declines.
But, having a thyroid gland that produces too much or too little thyroid hormone, can cause several unpleasant symptoms in a woman’s body that are very similar to the symptoms of menopause. As a result, it can sometimes be difficult for a woman, or her doctor, to diagnose whether the cause of her health issues is a result of menopause, thyroid disorder, or both.
In this article, the hormone replacement specialists at SottoPelle in Phoenix, AZ discuss the link between perimenopause/menopause and thyroid disorders – and they explain what a woman can do to restore optimal hormone balance for menopause symptom relief and improved health and wellbeing.
The Relationship Between Estrogen & Thyroid Disorders
To begin with, the symptoms of menopause can be similar or identical to the symptoms of an underactive or overactive thyroid.
An underactive thyroid does not produce enough thyroid hormone. This condition is called hypothyroidism. It’s symptoms commonly include: lack of energy, weight gain, mood swings, mental fogginess, thinning hair, and more. Sounds a lot like menopause, doesn’t it?
An overactive thyroid produces too much thyroid hormone. This condition, called hyperthyroidism, comes with symptoms including: heat intolerance, rapid or irregular heartbeat, hot flashes, night sweats, anxiousness and problems sleeping. That sounds like menopause, too, doesn’t it?
In 2011 a clinical study published in the Journal of Thyroid Research investigated the relationship between menopause and thyroid function. They determined that there is strong evidence that estrogen directly affects thyroid cells. So, during perimenopause and menopause when estrogen levels decline, the thyroid’s ability to produce hormones is also affected.
Diagnosing Thyroid Disease vs. Menopause
Your age may be the first clue to diagnosis. The changes of menopause generally begin between the ages of 45 and 55. But thyroid disorders can onset at any age, with hypothyroidism being much more common in women of childbearing age.
But, whatever your age, a woman experiencing any of these frustrating symptoms should not ever assume that these body changes are “just a fact of getting older” or “something you just have to live with”. Both thyroid disorders and the hormone imbalances of menopause can be diagnosed with comprehensive blood testing – and can be very successfully treated with advanced hormone replacement therapy!
The hormone specialist at SottoPelle in the greater Phoenix, AZ area can definitively diagnose whether your symptoms are the result of menopause, or a thyroid imbalance, or both – and then naturally and effectively restore your hormones to balance with customized bioidentical hormone replacement therapy.
Why Diagnosing Hormone Imbalance is Important
Sadly, many doctors take a one-size-fits all approach. They just assume that a woman’s menopause-like symptoms are estrogen deficiency – and then they prescribe a “standard dose” of synthetic (lab produced) estrogen. Even though every woman is different, everyone gets the same dose.
This is dangerous to a woman’s health because ignoring underlying thyroid disorders can substantially increase the risk of complications from menopause. For example, an untreated overactive thyroid can dramatically increase the risk of osteoporosis presented by menopause. And, while the risk of heart disease also increases during menopause, a co-existing thyroid condition further increases the risk of dangerous cardiovascular problems.
The hormone replacement experts at SottoPelle in the greater Phoenix, AZ area can perform comprehensive blood testing to diagnose whether your symptoms are the result of menopause, underlying thyroid disorder, or both. Then a customized hormone replacement plan will be put in place to address your unique, individual hormone deficiencies.
Additionally, the SottoPelle Method uses hormone replacement pellets that are not synthetic – but are 100% naturally plant derived and “bioidentical” to the hormones created by a woman’s body. So, in addition to being customized, SottoPelle Method hormone replacement is also safer and more effective – because the hormones are virtually identical to the body’s own hormones.
Hormone Therapy for Menopause & Thyroid Disorder – Phoenix
The hormone replacement experts at SottoPelle in the greater Phoenix, AZ area take a holistic, customized and integrative approach to menopause, thyroid disorders and other hormone imbalances.
No matter what their age, customized bioidentical hormone therapy can help women get their body back in balance, so that they can have more energy, lose weight, enjoy better sexual intimacy, improve hair & skin, sleep better, avoid serious diseases, and live their best life!
