Locations:
Search IconSearch

You Think It’s Menopause, But Could It Be Your Thyroid?

Shared symptoms make it easy to confuse the two

Illustration of older womans neck and her thyroid

You’ve been irritable, you’ve gained weight and you’re not sleeping well. If you’re a woman in your mid 40s or 50s, you’re probably thinking menopause is to blame. But don’t jump to conclusions. These may be signs of an overactive or underactive thyroid gland.

Advertisement

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy

Other symptoms shared by menopause and thyroid disorders — fatigue, depression, hair loss and hot flashes — also make it tricky to tell the two apart, says endocrinologist Mary Vouyiouklis Kellis, MD.

Knowing what’s ailing you is the key to managing both conditions.

How your doctor can tell if you actually have a thyroid problem

Thyroid disorders are more common among women. Women with a family history of thyroid problems or autoimmune issues (like type 1 diabetes) are at higher risk, says Dr. Kellis. And as we get older, those risks increase.

“Thyroid disorders are often diagnosed around the time of menopause, or between the ages of 45 and 55,” says Dr. Kellis. “Many women pass off their thyroid issues for menopause because the symptoms are similar and it seems like they’re at the right age.”

The good news: A simple blood test can help rule out a thyroid disorder. If the test doesn’t find irregular thyroid hormone levels, then menopause is probably your answer — and you’ll need to work with your doctor to manage it.

Overactive vs. underactive thyroid

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the front of your neck. It produces hormones that help regulate your body’s metabolism and keep your brain, heart, muscles and other organs working properly. But sometimes it does too much or too little, as seen in:

Advertisement

  • Hyperthyroidism: An overactive thyroid may make you feel nervous, irritable and shaky. You may notice a racing heart, excessive sweating, heat intolerance, frequent bowel movements, thinning hair, weight loss and irregular periods.
  • Hypothyroidism: An underactive thyroid gland may slow down your body functions. What to look for: slower thinking, depression, feeling cold, constipation, muscle weakness, abnormal periods and a slower metabolism leading to moderate weight gain.

Loss of memory, or “brain fog,” is another, often-overlooked, sign of a thyroid issue, adds Dr. Kellis. Though rare, losing hair around the ends of your eyebrows is another sign.

Thyroid disorders are more common than you may think

Over 20 million Americans have a thyroid disorder, Dr. Kellis says. In fact, thyroid problems are more common than asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. But since many of the signs are so common, it’s easy miss it.

Dr. Kellis recommends getting a blood test if you’re experiencing irregularities in weight loss or gain, slowed thinking, memory loss, or anything that makes your body “not feel right.”

Ask your doctor to check for thyroid lumps (nodules) or an enlarged thyroid (goiter) during routine physical exams. Both thyroid nodules and goiter can make your thyroid underactive or overactive. Few nodules or goiters cause pain, but larger one can hamper swallowing and breathing, or make you hoarse.

Effective treatments are available for most thyroid disorders, ranging from medications to surgery. The right diagnosis and treatment will help you manage a thyroid disorder and its symptoms, says Dr. Kellis.

Advertisement

Learn more about our editorial process.

Related Articles

Female reclining on couch holding laptop, having video appointment with healthcare provider
November 8, 2024/Sex & Relationships
Dealing With Vaginal Rips and Tears After Sex

Most tears down there are mild and heal on their own, but some require medical treatment

Pregnant person in medical office with healthcare provider
November 6, 2024/Women's Health
Ob/Gyn or Midwife: Understanding the Differences

Ob/Gyns are trained physicians who can care for more complex medical needs than midwives, but which you choose depends on your health and comfort

Person lying on floor in living room doing pelvic floor exercise
November 4, 2024/Women's Health
How and Why To Do Pelvic Floor Exercises

Strengthening your pelvic floor can help you avoid incontinence issues and sexual dysfunction

Female looking over their shoulder, with oversized tube of gel and x'd out sperm
October 28, 2024/Women's Health
Birth Control Gel: Effectiveness and How It Works

Birth control gel is simple to use and an effective method for preventing pregnancy

Three happy females sitting at table outside playing cards
October 25, 2024/Brain & Nervous System
14 Ways To Limit Your Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease

Research suggests that up to 45% of current Alzheimer’s cases may have been avoidable

Person showing healthcare provider where their breast hurts in exam room
October 24, 2024/Women's Health
How To Know if You Could Have a Breast Abscess — and What To Do About It

A breast abscess feels like a hot, hard and painful lump — seek support from a healthcare provider at first signs of an infection

Line of different height women in side profile
October 16, 2024/Women's Health
What Is the Average Height for Women?

In the U.S., the average height for women is 5 feet 3.5 inches, and it ranges from 4 feet 11 inches to 5 feet 7 inches around the world

An FSH at home urine test kit
October 4, 2024/Women's Health
Home Menopause Tests Measure Hormones, but Are They Helpful?

At-home tests measure FSH levels in urine, but they can’t actually diagnose menopause

Trending Topics

Female and friend jogging outside
How To Increase Your Metabolism for Weight Loss

Focus on your body’s metabolic set point by eating healthy foods, making exercise a part of your routine and reducing stress

stovetop with stainless steel cookware and glassware
5 Ways Forever Chemicals (PFAS) May Affect Your Health

PFAS chemicals may make life easier — but they aren’t always so easy on the human body

jar of rice water and brush, with rice scattered around table
Could Rice Water Be the Secret To Healthier Hair?

While there’s little risk in trying this hair care treatment, there isn’t much science to back up the claims

Ad