women are 5-8 times more likely than men to develop a slow thyroid, which rises in menopause

One in eight women develop a thyroid disorder, but hypo(slow)-thyroidism often goes undiagnosed.

what & where is the thyroid gland?

Our thyroid is the butterfly-shaped gland at the base of the neck.

Hypothyroidism is a chronic disease where there's a deficiency of thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).

This slows our metabolism and causes fatigue, weight gain, weight-loss resistance, low body temperature, hair thinning, constipation, brain fog and fluid retention.

ageing and our thyroid gland

The risk of hypothyroidism increases with age, with post-menopausal women have a higher prevalence of hypothyroidism compared to pre-menopausal women.

why are menopausal women at greater risk of developing thyroid problems?

Because during and after menopause, oestrogen levels decline.

While this alone can lead to changes in thyroid function, menopausal women are at greater risk of developing autoimmune disease – and most hypothyroidism is Hashimoto's – combined with a general age-related decline in thyroid function.

is tsh testing enough?

To identify hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's, which are possible to support using natural medicine (nutrition, supplements and lifestyle), the usual TSH test may not be enough.

This brain-based hormone doesn't show conversion, storage, or cell uptake. Nor does it show if key thyroid nutrients like iodine, selenium, tyrosine and others are at optimal levels.

Deeper thyroid testing, including cofactors, can identify potential root causes.