Is It Perimenopause Or A Thyroid Condition?

In every woman’s life, there’s a phase and age when they become irritable, anxious, gain weight, experience night sweats or sleep disturbances and even start having erratic periods.^1,2 These signs are nothing but an indication of a woman going through perimenopause (also called the menopausal transition). But, did you know that these symptoms could also be a sign of thyroid problems? Yes, that’s because thyroid disease and perimenopause symptoms can be similar! 

However, this confusion can be sorted by taking a simple perimenopause test which can give you a clear insight into your reproductive timeline. Let’s learn more about it in this article!

How To Identify If It’s A Thyroid Condition Or Perimenopause

To begin with, let us first understand the thyroid gland followed by its relation with the perimenopausal stage.

Thyroid Gland: An Overview

The thyroid gland is located in your neck and looks after the formation and secretion of thyroid hormones such as thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).³ Thyroid is mainly controlled by the pituitary gland present in the brain which is responsible to make the Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH).⁴ TSH notifies the thyroid how much T4 and T3 to produce for a normal thyroid function.⁵

But, if the thyroid gland does not make enough hormones it indicates you’re having hypothyroidism and so the TSH level is high. And, when it produces too many hormones it is said to be hyperthyroidism which causes a low TSH level.⁵ This basically is the result of a hormonal imbalance which can cause the following symptoms depending on the condition:

• Symptoms of hyperthyroidism: Heat intolerance, weak muscles, nervousness, irritability, weight loss, trouble sleeping, fatigue, and goiter (enlargement of the thyroid gland)^6,7
• Symptoms of hypothyroidism: Fatigue, weight gain, menstrual irregularities, cold intolerance, depression, constipation, dry skin, hair thinning, muscle and joint pain, and infertility^8,9

To detect any thyroid abnormality, a thyroid function test (TFT) is commonly recommended as it measures the TSH level. This test is used to diagnose as well as monitor the treatment of thyroid disorders.¹⁰

Now you must be wondering how all of this relates to perimenopause. 

So, thyroid and perimenopause symptoms are quite similar and might confuse a woman. To give you clarity on the same, let’s jump straight into the symptoms of perimenopause and get a quick gist about it.

Perimenopausal Stage: An Overview

Perimenopause usually begins with menstrual irregularities and ends after a year of amenorrhea (absence of menstruation).¹¹ This stage can vary widely from one woman to the other and may last for about 5 years.¹² Most women start noticing the signs and symptoms at the age of 40 and above.^{1, 13}

What Causes It?

Perimenopause is a natural process that occurs in a woman’s life when her ovaries gradually stop releasing eggs.¹⁴ In addition to this, the body also produces fewer hormones (particularly estrogen - which regulates the female reproductive system)¹⁵ and experiences shorter or irregular menstrual cycles. When the estrogen levels are high, PMS-like (Premenstrual syndrome) symptoms might occur. But, if the estrogen is low, a woman can experience hot flashes or night sweats.¹⁴

What Are The Common Symptoms Experienced?

Symptoms might vary significantly from one woman to the other as they can occur at different times and degrees of severity.¹² So, a woman might experience any of the symptoms given below:¹⁴

• Mood swings
• Night sweats
• Hot flashes
• Trouble sleeping
• Difficulty in concentrating
• Headaches
• Vaginal dryness
• Changes in sexual desire
• Joint and muscle aches

Aren’t they quite similar to thyroid symptoms? 

No wonder the confusion!

Here’s The Best Way Forward With LifeCell…

So, if you’re experiencing these symptoms it either could be due to thyroid disorders or you must be going through the perimenopausal stage. And, if you wish to clear this confusion all you have to do is to predict your menopause transition and get insights into thyroid health.

To begin with, you can check out LifeCell’s at-home Perimenopause kit, which will help you detect the level of 3 specific hormones (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone - TSH, Anti-mullerian hormone - AMH and free thyroxine - fT4) affected during your transition into menopause.

LifeCell’s Perimenopause kit will surely help you understand whether the symptoms experienced are due to the onset of menopause or an indication of an underlying thyroid condition. Additionally, you will also receive expert-reviewed results, useful insights on a private online dashboard and a virtual consultation with experts!