As women move through their 40s and beyond, it’s common to notice changes in energy, weight, mood, and sleep. While many people blame these shifts on aging or hormones, the thyroid often plays a bigger role than expected.
Common signs of thyroid dysfunction include fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest, unexplained weight gain or difficulty losing weight, hair thinning, dry skin, constipation, and feeling cold more often than others. Mood changes like anxiety, irritability, or low mood can also be linked to thyroid imbalance.
There are also less obvious symptoms that frequently get overlooked. These can include brain fog, poor concentration, changes in menstrual cycles, low libido, joint or muscle pain, hoarseness, or a feeling of fullness in the neck. Some women notice heart palpitations, trouble sleeping, or feeling “wired but tired.” Digestive issues and blood sugar swings may also be connected to thyroid health.
Because many thyroid symptoms overlap with perimenopause, stress, and busy life seasons, they are often dismissed or normalized. This is where working with a functional medicine doctor can be helpful. A functional approach looks beyond a single lab value, ordering more comprehensive testing and pairing results with your full health history and symptoms. From there, care can include personalized nutrition, lifestyle guidance, and targeted supplementation to support thyroid function and overall well-being.
If you feel like something is off, trust that instinct. You don’t have to accept persistent symptoms as “just getting older.” Getting the right support can make a meaningful difference in how you feel day to day.
Content here is intended for education and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your personal healthcare provider for your specific needs. I provide telehealth and in-person visits and am happy to accept new patients who need a provider.