menopause and thyroid health

[Tiff567]

I’ve tried to Google looking for some information, not sure if I’m just not searching using the correct wording.

Does anyone have any research articles that addresses any effect menopause can have on our thyroid function?

A thought crossed my mind, so bear with me. Some of us get diagnosed with hypothyroidism around the same time as we go into perimenopause. Keep in mind, some symptoms are very similar. So the doctor tests TSH and it’s off and bang, you are giving meds. Then many struggle for years to get the meds ‘right’. Sometimes it’s never right.

I do know many have very severe symptoms so this might be in relation to those with what would be more along the lines of less severe.

Any thoughts or articles anyone can share? Thanks in advance.

[RedApple Administrator]

There is a known connection between fluctuating and decreasing levels of oestrogen and thyroid hormones. Here's one article about it, but hopefully others will join in with their thoughts on your question.

'Estrogen has an indirect effect on thyroid function by stimulating the production of thyroxine binding globulin (TBG). TBG circulates in the blood and binds to thyroid hormones, sequestering them and preventing them from interacting with tissues. In response to high levels of TBG, the body stimulates the thyroid to produce more thyroid hormones. Thus, during perimenopause, as estrogen levels fall, levels of TBG also decrease, leading to the thyroid producing lower levels of thyroid hormones.'

Underactive Thyroid and Menopause: What You Should Know

menopause.net/featured/unde...

[Tiff567 in reply to RedApple]

I imagine at some point I read something regarding this. But now I wonder if the thyroid is off due to estrogen, does it balance out in time? Like what if one didn’t take any thyroid medicines. But of course this wouldn’t work if someone had intense symptoms.

[SarahJane1471 in reply to Tiff567]

I have always wondered about this as my experience is that 2 years after hitting the menopause and starting estrogen only HRT my under active thyroid symptoms started. My TSH was under 5 for a year ( once tested) FT4 below range and FT3 bottom of the range. So I started Levo. Seeing this evidence is making me wonder if reducing my Estrogel will encourage my thyroid to start working again. Of course if my menopause symptoms return I stuck in the cycle of thyroxine/ HRT balance.

[Tiff567 in reply to SarahJane1471]

This is hugely what I am wondering. Can the thyroid bounce back if the cause was due to lowering estrogen? For myself, I never felt my perimenopause or even current symptoms required hormone replacement. A couple years ago when I had my thyroid levels tested, the doctor started me on low dose levo. But I had also just gone through a very traumatic situation and had depression. Depression managed with medicine and therapy, I actual plan to stop taking that medicine in the spring. Symptoms related to menopause at this time are perhaps a little feeling warm, honestly nothing I’d even complain about. My cycle hasn’t gotten to missing for a year yet but last year I only had 3 periods.

A couple months ago, I stopped levo, began taking a supplement. Had two blood tests, so far so good. Of course we know this can take time to really see. But my energy is good, I rarely feel the need for a nap. Hair growing in fuller, skin is fine, sleep good, however no major change to my weight. But I also need to get moving more.

I guess my biggest curiosity about this is, if the hypothyroidism is caused by lowing estrogen, I would think perhaps taking meds like levo, could be detrimental, as then the thyroid adjusts to working with the medicine. That would leave us depend on it for life. However, using hormone replacement instead, would prevent a lifetime need for thyroid medicine. And of course this is all dependent on the patient and the many other factors involved.

[SarahJane1471]

oh we are at cross purposes! I thought you meant too much estrogen. That’s what I think about myself.

If you look at the connections re HPA and HPT and sex hormones you will understand the feedback and feed forward loops. It’s all a balancing act really 🤷‍♀️