Is It Menopause or Your Thyroid?

Fatigue, weight gain, mood changes, poor sleep and irregular periods can all come from perimenopause. They can also come from a thyroid problem. Because thyroid disease is common in women in their 40s and 50s, it is worth checking before assuming it is menopause.

Symptoms they share

Fatigue and low energy
Weight changes
Mood swings, anxiety or low mood
Trouble sleeping
Irregular periods
Brain fog

Clues that point to the thyroid

An underactive thyroid can cause feeling cold, dry skin, constipation and a slow heart rate. An overactive thyroid can cause feeling hot, a racing heart, tremor and weight loss. Hot flashes and night sweats, on the other hand, are more typical of menopause.

Why testing matters

A simple blood test can check thyroid function. At elev8HRT, thyroid labs are part of the workup before any perimenopause or menopause treatment. It is also possible to have both at once.

Explore our menopause symptom guide.

Have questions about your hormones? Julie Bernell, MD, sees women and men from Kingwood, The Woodlands and the Lake Houston area at our New Caney office. Call 281-319-4111 or request an appointment.

This article is for general education and does not replace individualized medical advice.