The Effect of Menopause on Thyroid Function

Menopause is the natural transition of the production of sex hormones (estrogen and progesterone) from the ovaries to the adrenals in women over the age of 50. This process should be a graceful transition, without the nagging symptoms that are commonly associated with this phase of life: hot flashes, vaginal dryness, fatigue, insomnia, osteoporosis, and other related symptoms. However, chronic hormonal imbalances that have been lying under the surface often throw a wrench into the natural cycle of life and into thyroid function.

Technically, menopause is the period of time in which there is absence of a period for one year. The transitional period around this time, perimenopause, is the time in which most people experience the crazy symptoms that are associated with menopause. Perimenopause should only last about a year, perhaps two years, and the symptoms should be mild. However, it is not uncommon to find women that experience the symptoms of perimenopause for upwards of eight years.

These symptoms that are commonly associated with perimenopause stem from deep rooted hormone imbalances. Hot flashes, weight gain, brain fog, and unstable moods are often a sign of estrogen dominance. This means that the body has an over abundance of estrogen. This may seem like a backwards concept, since perimenopause is the time of life in which sex hormone production is decreasing. Which means that estrogen should be decreasing too… Estrogen dominance can also occur when estrogen levels are normal, but when progesterone is too low. Sex hormones, estrogen and progesterone, are always evaluated in relation to one another. Therefore, a dominance can be see in one without having either one of them above clinical levels, but instead from having too low of levels.

During the transition of sex hormone production from the ovaries to the adrenals, that chronic underlying hormone imbalance often shows up. Over years and years of an over abundance of stress, adrenals, the organs that have a key role in stress management, are often affected. On top of the chronic burden on the adrenal glands, during perimenopause the adrenals also start adding the the function of producing estrogen and progesterone. Therefore, adding more work load to the already overworked system.

Many of the symptoms of perimenopause occur due to too low of progesterone levels in comparison to estrogen. One of the causes is the normal lowering of progesterone that is associated with perimenopause. However, in addition to the decreasing levels of progesterone, often there are outside sources that increase the estrogen levels and create an imbalance. In addition to estrogen formed within the body, there are outside sources within our environment that increase the natural levels that are produced. In the environment, estrogen is found:

• As xenoestrogens in plastics, such as BPA
• Synthetic estrogens in birth control pills and other medications
• Phytoestrogens from food, such as soy and flax products

The interesting thing is that phytoestrogens and xenoestrogens do not replace estrogen, but instead they mimic estrogen. Therefore, creating an imbalance in the rest of the estrogen/progesterone system. The problem with the estrogen “mimicers” is that they will use the same receptor sites as the functional estrogen, however can not perform the same actions as estrogen. Picture a key that will fit in a lock, but will not turn the door. Therefore, it is similar to the proper key, but will not fulfill the function that is desired.

This is a problem when it comes to thyroid function. These estrogen mimicers or “decoys” tell the thyroid to stop production. Estrogen has a checks and balances system within the thyroid. When estrogen is high it lowers thyroid function. The thyroid stimulates production of estrogen and progesterone within the body, therefore, when the levels get too high, it cycles back to the thyroid and tells it to stop production. This becomes a problem when it is estrogen decoys that cause the shutting down of the thyroid as opposed to estrogen itself. The decoys make the thyroid think there are sufficient levels of estrogen, when there are really not. Therefore, it tells the body to slow the production of thyroid hormone and decrease the absorption at the receptor sites- a double whammy. This decrease in the production of thyroid hormone can result in symptoms such as brain fog, weight gain, cold intolerance and hair loss.

The symptoms of perimenopause are often a reaction of both too high of estrogen levels and too low of thyroid hormone levels. The best way to manage this hormonal mixup is this:

• Decrease exposure of environmental estrogens (soy, flax, BPA, birth control pills).
• TABATA exercises: short duration burst activities that limit that amount of stress that is placed upon the adrenals during exercises. Due to the style of exercise it can fit into most any life schedule. 8 minutes duration: 30 seconds of “work”, 15 seconds of “rest” on repeat until 8 minutes is completed. This “work” should be a full body activity, such as: jumping jacks, burpees, or jump rope. Feel free to make it creative and fun!
• Supplements to aid in liver breakdown of environmental estrogens and support the thyroid – to do this most effectively be sure to consult a medical practitioner that is well versed in functional nutrition and the relationship between adrenal, ovarian and liver function.

“Normal” menopause symptoms are anything but “normal”. Finding the root cause of these crazy symptoms and supporting them through dietary and lifestyle changes can lead to not only resolution of the menopause symptoms, but often of other health concerns as well. If this post was of benefit to you, be sure to email and tell us your story: amber@haydeninstitute.com. Also, if there is another health topic or question that you have, be sure to let us know so we can feature that in our future blog posts!