Menopause or Thyroid Disease? How to Tell the Difference
If you’re a woman in your forties or fifties, chances are you’ve started to notice some big changes in your body. Maybe you’re feeling more tired than usual, your sleep has gone haywire, your mood feels up and down, or your waistline seems to be expanding no matter what you do. For many women, the first thought is: this must be menopause.
But here’s the surprising truth: a lot of these symptoms can also be caused by thyroid disease — and the two often show up at the very same time of life. That overlap can make things confusing, frustrating, and sometimes lead to years of struggling without the right diagnosis.
On the NHS, GPs are encouraged not to do blood tests for peri-menopausal women when in fact their thyroid is playing a major role in how they feel. The good news? Once both are properly assessed, women often feel a huge sense of relief and notice dramatic improvements in energy, mood, and wellbeing.
Why menopause and thyroid disease get mixed up
Menopause is caused by falling levels of oestrogen and progesterone, and it brings well-known symptoms like hot flushes, night sweats, irregular periods, mood changes, poor concentration, and low libido. The thyroid — a butterfly-shaped gland at the base of your neck — controls your metabolism, energy, and hormone balance. When it isn’t working properly, it can cause tiredness, weight changes, brain fog, low mood, anxiety, sleep issues, hair loss, and even menstrual irregularities.
See the problem? The two lists are almost identical. Without blood tests, it’s almost impossible to know whether your symptoms are purely menopausal, thyroid-related, or a combination of both.
That’s why at Sirona Health we believe thyroid screening should be a routine part of perimenopause care. Our perimenopause blood panel includes a thyroid check as standard, and if we spot anything unusual we can carry out advanced thyroid testing to give a clearer picture. This way, nothing gets missed and you get answers sooner.
What happens if thyroid disease is missed during menopause?
If your thyroid is underactive (hypothyroidism) and left untreated, you may experience persistent fatigue, weight gain, dry skin, constipation, and low mood. Over time, it can also raise cholesterol and increase your risk of heart disease. If it’s overactive (hyperthyroidism), you might experience unexplained weight loss, palpitations, anxiety, and sleep disruption, and it can increase your risk of osteoporosis.
Add these risks to the hormonal shifts of menopause — where bone density and heart health are already under pressure — and you can see why it’s so important not to dismiss symptoms as “just menopause.”
How thyroid health interacts with menopause and HRT
Another interesting overlap is that thyroid health can affect how you respond to menopause hormone therapy (HRT). Oral oestrogen, for example, can alter thyroid hormone levels in the blood, which may mean women already taking thyroid medication need an adjustment in their dose. Transdermal oestrogen (patches, gels, sprays) doesn’t have this effect, which is why it’s often preferred in women with thyroid conditions.
This is a good example of why personalised care matters. A one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work when you’re dealing with two complex systems — your reproductive hormones and your thyroid. At Sirona Health, we take the time to look at the whole picture, from your blood test results and medical history to your symptoms and lifestyle, so we can create a treatment plan that fits you.
Could your thyroid be affecting your menopause symptoms?
If you’ve been wondering why you’re so exhausted, why your brain feels foggy, or why your body seems to be changing in ways you don’t understand, it may be worth asking the question: is this menopause, thyroid disease, or both?
Here are some signs it might be time to get checked:
You’re gaining weight despite no changes in diet or exercise.
Your hair is thinning, or your skin feels unusually dry.
Your mood feels flat or anxious, and sleep isn’t refreshing.
Your periods became irregular earlier than expected, or you’re having heavy bleeding.
You’re struggling with hot flushes and night sweats that don’t improve with lifestyle changes.
These can all be part of the menopausal transition, but they can also be thyroid-related. A simple blood test is usually all it takes to start unravelling the mystery.
How Sirona Health can help
At Sirona Health, we offer a comprehensive personalised approach where you won’t feel rushed and we can explore your condition in detail. Our perimenopause blood panel includes thyroid screening, and if needed, we can arrange more advanced thyroid testing. From there, we’ll talk through your options — whether that’s HRT, thyroid medication, lifestyle support, or a combination.
Most importantly, we’ll listen. We know how frustrating it is to feel dismissed or told it’s “just part of getting older.” Our approach is personalised, evidence-based, and centred around getting you back to feeling like yourself again.
Taking the first step
If you’ve been asking yourself “is this menopause, or could it be my thyroid?” the answer might well be both. The important thing is not to ignore your symptoms or accept them as inevitable. There are safe, effective treatments for both menopause and thyroid disease — and with the right support, you really can get your energy, focus, and wellbeing back.
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Menopause itself doesn’t directly cause thyroid disease, but the two often occur around the same time. Many symptoms overlap, which is why thyroid screening is so important during perimenopause and menopause.
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Symptoms of thyroid disease can look very similar to menopause: fatigue, mood swings, anxiety, poor sleep, hair thinning, weight changes, and irregular periods. This overlap makes it difficult to tell the difference without a blood test.
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Yes. Because thyroid problems are common in women in their 40s and 50s, and symptoms mimic menopause, thyroid screening is recommended. At Sirona Health, our perimenopause blood panel includes thyroid testing as standard.
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Oral oestrogen can affect thyroid hormone levels in the blood, which may mean adjustments to thyroid medication. Transdermal oestrogen (patches, gels, sprays) does not affect thyroid function in the same way.
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Yes. If thyroid disease goes untreated during menopause, it can worsen fatigue, mood changes, weight gain, and even increase the risk of osteoporosis and heart disease. Treating both conditions can make a huge difference to wellbeing.