Let’s fact it we all get get tired from time to time, or are you putting on weight and have other symptoms you may have just put down to menopause such brain fog, chills, or hair loss?

Or is the opposite true for you: Are you often revved up, sweaty, or anxious?

Well guess what it might not be just menopause but your thyroid gland could be to blame. It is this great regulator of body and mind but sometimes it can go haywire, leaving you with symptoms not dissimilar to menopause.

What it it?

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the front of the neck. It produces hormones that control the speed of your metabolism — the system that helps the body use energy.

Thyroid disorders can slow down or rev up metabolism by disrupting the production of thyroid hormones. When hormone levels become too low or too high, you may experience a wide range of symptoms such as these:

Symptom: Weight gain or loss

An unexplained change in weight is one of the most common signs of a thyroid disorder. Weight gain may signal low levels of thyroid hormones, a condition called hypothyroidism.

In contrast, if the thyroid produces more hormones than the body needs, you may lose weight unexpectedly. This is known as hyperthyroidism. Hypothyroidism is far more common.

Symptom: Neck swelling 

This is a visible clue that something may be wrong with the thyroid. A goitre may occur with either hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.

Sometimes swelling in the neck can result from thyroid cancer or nodules, lumps that grow inside the thyroid. It can also be due to a cause unrelated to the thyroid so should always be checked with your doctor. Thyroid cancer is uncommon and is among the least deadly.

Symptom: Changes in heart rate

Thyroid hormones affect nearly every organ in the body and can influence how quickly the heart beats. People with hypothyroidism may notice their heart rate is slower than usual.

Hyperthyroidism may cause the heart to speed up. It can also trigger increased blood pressure and the sensation of a pounding heart, or other types of heart palpitations.

Symptom: Changes in energy or mood

Thyroid disorders can have a noticeable impact on your energy level and mood. Hypothyroidism tends to make people feel tired, sluggish, and depressed.

Hyperthyroidism can cause anxiety, problems sleeping, restlessness, and irritability.

Symptom: Hair loss

Hair loss is another sign that thyroid hormones may be out of balance. Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can cause hair to fall out.

In most cases, the hair will grow back once the thyroid disorder is treated and progesterone has been found helpful with this.

Symptom: Feeling too cold or hot

Thyroid disorders can disrupt the ability to regulate body temperature. People with hypothyroidism may feel cold more often than usual.

Hyperthyroidism tends to have the opposite effect, causing excessive sweating and an aversion to heat.

Other symptoms of hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism can cause many other symptoms, including:

• Dry skin and brittle nails
• Numbness or tingling in the hands
• Constipation
• Abnormal menstrual periods

Hashimoto’s Disease

The most common cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto’s disease. This is an autoimmune disorder in which the body attacks the thyroid gland.

The result is damage to the thyroid, preventing it from producing enough hormones. Hashimoto’s disease tends to run in families.

Other Causes of Hypothyroidism

In some cases, hypothyroidism results from a problem with the pituitary gland, which is at the base of the brain. This gland produces thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which tells the thyroid to do its job.

If your pituitary gland does not produce enough TSH, levels of thyroid hormones will fall. Other causes of hypothyroidism include temporary inflammation of the thyroid or medications that affect thyroid function.

Other symptoms of Hyperthyroidism

Additional symptoms here can include:

• Muscle weakness or trembling hands
• Vision problems
• Diarrhoea
• Irregular menstrual periods

Graves’ Disease
The most common cause of hyperthyroidism is Graves’ disease. This is an autoimmune disorder that attacks the thyroid gland and triggers the release of high levels of thyroid hormones.

One of the hallmarks of Graves’ disease is a visible and uncomfortable swelling behind the eyes.

Other Causes of Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism can also result from thyroid nodules. These are lumps that develop inside the thyroid and sometimes begin producing thyroid hormones.

Large lumps may create a noticeable goitre. Smaller lumps can be detected with ultrasound. A thyroid uptake and scan can tell if the lump is producing too much thyroid hormone.

So which is it – the thyroid or menopause?

Because thyroid disorders can cause changes in menstrual cycle and mood, the symptoms are sometimes mistaken for menopause.

If you think it could be your thyroid then your doctor can do a simple blood test see whether the true culprit is menopause or a thyroid disorder – and it could be a combination of the two.

The test measures the level of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), a kind of master hormone that regulates the work of the thyroid gland. If TSH is high, it typically means that your thyroid function is too low (hypothyroid).

If TSH is low, then it generally means the thyroid is overactive (hyperthyroid.) Your doctor may also check levels of other thyroid hormones in your blood.

Hypothyroidism more frequently affects women over age 60 and a family history raises your risk of either disorder.

Simple self check

A careful look in the mirror may help you spot an enlarged thyroid that needs a doctor’s attention. Tip your head back, take a drink of water, and as you swallow, examine your neck below the Adam’s apple and above the collarbone.

Look for bulges or protrusions, then repeat the process a few times. See a doctor promptly if you see a bulge or lump.

Thyroid disorder complications

When left untreated, hypothyroidism can raise cholesterol levels and make you more likely to have a stroke or heart attack.

In severe cases, very low levels of thyroid hormones can trigger a loss of consciousness and life-threatening drop in body temperature.

Untreated hyperthyroidism can cause serious heart problems and brittle bones.

Treating Hypothyroidism

If you are diagnosed with hypothyroidism, your doctor will most likely prescribe thyroid medication such as Thyroxine or similar. Most people with hypothyroidism will need to take thyroid hormones for the rest of their lives.

Many women successfully use bioidentical progesterone with thyroid conditions to help as it supports thyroid function and is safe to use alongside any medication.

If on long term medication always best to check with your doctor as you may find your need for that is reduced as thyroid function improves.

The most common treatment for hyperthyroidism is antithyroid medication, which aims to lower the amount of hormones produced by the thyroid. The condition may eventually go away, but many people need to remain on medication for the long term.

Other drugs may be given to reduce symptoms such as rapid pulse and tremors. Another option is radioactive iodine, which destroys the thyroid gland over the course of 6 to 18 weeks. Once the gland is destroyed, or removed by surgery, most patients must begin taking thyroid hormones in pill form.