When Hormones Collide: Menopause and Thyroid – What Every Woman Should Know

Let’s talk about the double whammy no one warns you about…

Menopause is already a hormonal rollercoaster—hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings, the whole chaotic circus. But throw in a sluggish thyroid and you’ve got yourself a perfect storm of exhaustion, brain fog, and “why do my jeans not fit even though I’ve eaten nothing but lentils all week?”

Yep, menopause and thyroid health are deeply connected. And if you’re feeling like a zombie with a side of bloating, it might not be “just menopause” after all.

What’s the Link Between Menopause and Thyroid Health?

As oestrogen declines during perimenopause and menopause, it affects your thyroid function too. The thyroid—a small butterfly-shaped gland in your neck—has a big job: it regulates your metabolism, energy levels, mood, and temperature.

When your hormones shift, your thyroid can slow down, leading to symptoms like:

• Unrelenting fatigue
• Weight gain (despite eating like a saint)
• Dry skin
• Depression or anxiety
• Brain fog
• Irregular periods (yes, even more irregular)

Sound familiar? These overlap with menopause symptoms, which is why so many women are misdiagnosed—or just told to “ride it out.”

How to Support Your Thyroid During Menopause

1. Ask for a Full Thyroid Panel – Not just TSH. You’ll want Free T3, Free T4 and thyroid antibodies checked too.
2. Track Your Symptoms – If you’re napping at your desk or crying because you dropped a tea bag, don’t brush it off.
3. Nourish with Food – Selenium, iodine, and zinc are key for thyroid function. (That’s why our Power Bowl is packed with them!)
4. Support Your Gut – Because your hormones and gut microbiome are besties behind the scenes.
5. Move Gently – Exercise helps regulate hormones and boost energy. Pilates, walking, and yoga are your new BFFs.
6. Sleep Like It’s Your Job – Because your body can’t balance hormones if you’re running on fumes.

Trudi’s Personal Thyroid Wake-Up Call

Before my thyroid diagnosis, I thought I was just overdoing it. But when I started rating chairs by their nap potential and nodded off in the middle of a sentence during a meeting—yes, really—I knew something wasn’t right.

Turned out I wasn’t lazy. My thyroid was waving a white flag and begging for help.

Once I started supporting my thyroid (and stopped blaming myself), the fog began to lift. Energy returned, the scales shifted, and I no longer needed a “meeting recovery nap” before lunch.

So if you’re navigating menopause and feel like something else is going on—trust yourself. Speak up. Get the tests. And start supporting your whole hormonal ecosystem.

Because we’re not here to merely survive midlife. We’re here to thrive through it—with laughter, lentils, and a very comfy chair.

With love and energy (finally!),
Trudi x