What you need to know about thyroid health

The health of our thyroid is a critical aspect of our overall health and wellbeing, but it’s often not something that gets much of our attention. During menopause, the thyroid can play an even more significant role than it has throughout life to date. This small gland in our necks plays a significant role in regulating many bodily functions, with its impact becoming even more noticeable during hormonal shifts.

Whether you’re already in the midst of menopause, experiencing the early stages of perimenopause, or you’re firmly in postmenopause territory, understanding the role the thyroid plays and how you can support its health can help you protect this vital gland.

What is the thyroid?

The thyroid gland is located at the base of the neck and is responsible for producing many of the hormones our body draws on each day. It’s made up of two halves (called lobes) that are joined together by a narrow band of thyroid tissue.

The thyroid’s job is to take iodine, which is present in many foods, and convert it into thyroid hormones called thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). The iodine in the cells of the thyroid are then distributed throughout the body to regulate metabolism. Consequently, any changes in thyroid health can significantly affect overall well-being. These vital hormones have far-reaching effects, impacting nearly every cell and process in the body, including heart rate, body temperature, and energy levels. Thus, maintaining a healthy thyroid is essential for optimal health and functioning.

Common thyroid disorders 

The health of the thyroid has a large effect on our overall health. When it’s not working to its capacity, this can lead to wider health issues that can become increasingly urgent in nature.

Common thyroid disorders include:

• Hyperthyroidism – this takes place when the thyroid is overactive, producing too much of the thyroid hormone. Common symptoms of hyperthyroidism include feelings of tiredness or anxiety, a lack of tolerance for heat, heart palpitations, and inexplicable weight loss. This is also commonly known as thyrotoxicosis.
• Hypothyroidism – this is the result of an underactive thyroid, occurring when the thyroid doesn’t produce enough of the thyroid hormone. This thyroid disorder can often go on for years without any clear symptoms or indications that something’s wrong. When symptoms do appear, however, they can vary significantly, including fatigue, problems tolerating cold, constipation, dry skin, weight gain, problems with memory and a sense of depression.
• Thyroid cancer – this occurs when thyroid cells become cancerous. It’s more common in women than in men, with diagnosis commonly taking place when people are in their 50s. 
• Nodules – these can grow in the thyroid and are solid or fluid-filled lumps. The majority of thyroid nodules aren’t serious and don’t cause any health issues, but a small percentage of thyroid nodules are cancerous. 
• Inflamed thyroid – also known as thyroiditis, this causes either higher or lower levels of thyroid hormones in the blood. Specific types of thyroiditis include Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, De Quervain’s (subacute) thyroiditis, Postpartum thyroiditis, Silent (painless) thyroiditis, drug-induced thyroiditis, radiation-induced thyroiditis, and acute or infectious thyroiditis. 
• Enlarged thyroid (also known as goitre) –  refers to an abnormal swelling of the thyroid gland, typically caused by various underlying factors such as iodine deficiency, thyroid disorders, or certain medications

How thyroid disorders can affect menopausal women

For menopausal women, they may experience an intertwining of menopause’s symptoms and impacts and thyroid disorders. The hormonal fluctuations that occur during menopause can be exacerbated by underlying or co-occurring thyroid disorders, requiring careful management throughout each stage of menopause’s transition.

One of the major challenges in identifying thyroid disorders during menopause is how closely their symptoms can align. As both menopause and thyroid disorders can lead to irregular periods, mood swings, problems sleeping, weight gain and loss, and challenges in temperature regulation, it’s common for the symptoms of thyroid disorders to be mistaken for menopausal symptoms. This can pose a significant challenge in receiving an accurate diagnosis and ongoing treatment. 

Research to date has also demonstrated an increased presence of thyroid disorders within menopausal women, meaning women who are undergoing menopause should be closely checking for signs of potential thyroid disorders. If a thyroid disorder is left undiagnosed and untreated, this can further worsen menopause symptoms, as well as negatively impacting on the risk of other health issues, such as heart disease, osteoporosis, and mental health issues. 

Further complications that can arise as a result of thyroid disorders during menopause include:

• The impact of thyroid disorders on bone health, which may also be weakened as a result of decreased oestrogen production during menopause
• The manner in which thyroid disorders impact a woman’s metabolic health, which can already be a concern during menopause
• The risk of exacerbating mental health challenges, such as anxiety or depression, which can already be heightened throughout menopause

By understanding the correlation between thyroid disorder symptoms and menopausal symptoms, women transitioning through menopause can closely monitor their individual experiences, supported by the expertise of their healthcare practitioner.

How thyroid disorders are diagnosed and treated

Achieving a successful diagnosis of a thyroid disorder can be a lengthy process, requiring careful examination. The first step in diagnosing a thyroid disorder is generally a blood test that will measure thyroid hormone levels and the levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). These blood tests will help to identify whether the thyroid is underactive, overactive, or functioning normally. 

Depending on the particular thyroid disorder, treatment may take a medication pathway, or surgery may be required. As each treatment approach carries its own side effects, a thorough evaluation of individual health profiles is necessary to find the best way forward for each case. 

Navigating menopause’s health challenges

As with many health experiences, navigating the challenges menopause can bring can be made all the easier with the input of a supportive expert community. If you’re looking for support with your thyroid health and menopausal symptoms, reach out to the welcoming team at Australian Menopause Centre today.