Thyroid Health & Menopause: The Hidden Connection Every Woman Over 40 Should Know
🌿 Thyroid Health & Menopause: The Hidden Connection Every Woman Over 40 Should Know
By Kerie-Ann Lawrence, NP
Founder of The ApotheKerie | Women’s Health & Wellness Expert
When fatigue, brain fog, bloating, and weight gain hit in your 40s or 50s, most doctors chalk it up to “just menopause.”
But what if that’s only part of the story?
Many women navigating perimenopause and menopause are also dealing with undiagnosed or poorly managed thyroid imbalances, and the symptoms overlap so much, it’s easy to miss.
Let’s unpack what’s really going on in your body and how to naturally support your hormones, energy, and vitality—from the inside out.
🔗 How Are Thyroid and Menopause Connected?
Your thyroid gland is the master regulator of metabolism, energy, digestion, and mood. During menopause, as estrogen and progesterone decline, it directly impacts your thyroid in 3 key ways:
Estrogen raises thyroid-binding globulin (TBG): This makes less free thyroid hormone available to your body, leading to hypothyroid symptoms even when labs appear “normal.”
Lower progesterone = higher cortisol: Chronic stress and progesterone drops interfere with thyroid hormone conversion and increase inflammation.
Autoimmune risk rises post-menopause: With declining estrogen, your immune system may misfire, triggering thyroid autoimmunity like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
🛑 Symptoms: Is It Menopause, Thyroid, or Both?
Here’s where things get tricky—these two conditions mimic each other.
If you’re experiencing multiple symptoms, it’s time to dig deeper.
🧪 The Tests You Actually Need
Too many women are told their thyroid is “normal” based on a single TSH test. That’s outdated.
Ask for a full thyroid panel that includes:
TSH
Free T3
Free T4
Reverse T3
Anti-TPO (thyroid antibodies)
Anti-TG (thyroglobulin antibodies)
Plus helpful hormone labs:
Estradiol
Progesterone
DHEA
Cortisol (saliva or blood)
Ferritin
Vitamin D
B12
📍 Pro Tip: Track your symptoms with a journal and bring that data to your provider.
🥗 Plant-Based Foods for Thyroid + Hormone Balance
Your kitchen can become your healing apothecary.
Top plant-based foods that support thyroid + menopause health:
Brazil nuts – rich in selenium, supports thyroid antibodies
Sea vegetables (kelp, dulse) – natural iodine (avoid excess if Hashimoto’s)
Chia, flax & pumpkin seeds – hormone balancing omega-3s and zinc
Leafy greens – support estrogen clearance and liver detox
Lentils + chickpeas – protein + B vitamins for adrenal support
Steamed cruciferous veggies – detox excess estrogen (broccoli, Brussels, etc.)
Berries + pomegranate – powerful antioxidants to reduce oxidative stress
Turmeric + ginger – anti-inflammatory + liver-supportive
✨ Your plate is your power. Food is not just fuel, it’s functional medicine.
🌿 Holistic Tools to Support Your Body Naturally
Let’s go beyond the plate.
Lifestyle practices to support thyroid & menopause wellness:
🧘🏽♀️ Adaptogens:
Ashwagandha – balances cortisol, supports thyroid
Rhodiola – boosts energy, reduces burnout
Holy basil – lowers inflammation + anxiety
💧 Detox Support:
Start your day with lemon ginger water
Dry brushing to support lymphatic flow
Castor oil packs on the liver and lower abdomen
🧠 Mind-Body Rituals:
Gentle yoga, breathwork, and journaling
Dancing or walking in nature to ground your nervous system
🛀🏽 Essential Oils:
Myrrh, frankincense, lemongrass (diluted + applied to thyroid or reflex points)
🩺 Why You Still Need a Provider (Even Holistically)
Holistic healing is not about doing it alone—it’s about being heard, seen, and supported with your full story in mind.
Your provider can:
✔️ Interpret labs alongside your symptoms
✔️ Rule out autoimmune thyroid conditions
✔️ Guide you on safe hormone support if needed
✔️ Create a personalized, integrated plan
But you must show up informed. This is your body, your power, your time.
💬 Final Thoughts
If you’re in your 40s or 50s and feel like something is off, trust that inner knowing.
Your thyroid may be whispering.
Your hormones may be shifting.
And your body isn’t broken—it’s becoming.
At The ApotheKerie, we believe menopause isn’t the end. It’s your rebirth.
And you deserve to rise into this next season feeling vibrant, clear, and connected.
