Does the Thyroid Balance After Menopause?

Peri-menopausal and menopausal women are at risk for developing hypothyroidism or an underactive thyroid. This is a relatively common occurrence. In younger women, thyroid imbalances and abnormalities can cause menstrual problems. In older women, menopause symptoms can be exacerbated by thyroid issues.

The Thyroid and Reproductive Hormones

• The thyroid hormones regulate metabolism and are related to reproductive hormones, including reproductive gland activity, according to Pat Rackowski, who is a menopause educator. In addition, the thyroid hormones are similar to certain estrogen and progesterone (the female sex hormones) metabolites. Estrogen and progesterone can assist or block thyroid uptake. If there is a thyroid hormone imbalance and this is combined with estrogen and progesterone imbalances, this can result in fluid retention, hot flashes, mood change, depleting of energy and sleep difficulties.

Be Aware

• If you have been tested and it is determined that you have hypothyroidism, realize that this condition can get worse and you can become more symptomatic if you are taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Synthetic estrogen, as well as foods such as soy that contain phyto-estrogens, can interfere with thyroid hormones at the receptor site and cause depression, fatigue, bloating and headaches. Your thyroid medication may need to be increased.

Frequently Overlooked

• Even though hypothyroidism is a common problem among menopausal women, it is all too frequently overlooked by physicians, according to March Holmes, NP, Certified Menopause Clinician, and Dr. Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP. In fact, hypothyroidism is often one of the first indications that a woman is in peri-menopause. The thyroid gland is vulnerable to stress just as are other parts of the body. If it isn't working optimally, it can disrupt a woman's physical health. Peri-menopause and menopause can be an emotionally and physically trying time for a woman, which makes the thyroid gland even more vulnerable

Insulin Resistance

• If a woman has hypothyroidism, she should be evaluated for insulin resistance because it can cause many of the same symptoms as hypothyroidism. Sometimes a woman has both conditions. Insulin resistance is associated with poor nutrition, which can impair the thyroid's function.

Progesterone

• Dr. John Lee believes that synthetic estrogen, which some women take during peri-menopause, can cause estrogen dominance, which needs to be curbed via progesterone in order to prevent various problems, including hypothyroidism. Holmes and Dr. Pick believe that the imbalance in the ratio between progesterone and estrogen create problems that lead to hypothyroidism. Like Dr. Lee, Holmes and Dr. Pick think that supplemental progesterone can offset this balance and restore order.

Types of Medications

• Some women are treated with synthetic thyroid, such as Synthroid, Levoxyl or levothyroxine, which are created in a lab. Armour thyroid medication, which is a desiccated pig thyroid, can also be used to treat hypothyroidism.

Manage Your Problem

• If you are concerned that your thyroid is out of kilter, ask your physician to test your thyroid. Hypothyroidism can be corrected via synthetic thyroid. Hyperthyroidism, which doesn't occur as often in menopausal women, can also be managed via medication. The thyroid condition is not likely to correct itself, thus the need for medical intervention. Nearly 20 percent of all menopausal women are diagnosed with thyroid dysfunction.