Thyroid and Women’s Health
Thyroid and Women’s Health
Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND
Thyroid health is important for our overall wellbeing. But did you know that it can also affect women’s health concerns? In general women are more likely to be diagnosed with thyroid issues. In fact, up to 1 in 8 women will be affected by thyroid disorders. Let us get into it, shall we?
One of the ways that the thyroid can impact women’s health is by affecting our monthly cycles. Thyroid dysfunction can delay or speed up both puberty and menopause. It can also cause menstrual cycles to become irregular or even stop all together. Thyroid dysfunction can also cause the cycles to become heavier or lighter than normal. Studies show ovulation can be inhibited by thyroid disorders leading to problems with fertility. Women with thyroid disorders may notice that their periods are heavier than they expect or even contain larger than usual clots. This can lead to an increase in blood loss which can make you anemic. Something else that you may not realize is that if you are anemic, you will have heavier/ more clots during your period. This will leave you more anemic and thus more likely to have heavier periods! This is a feedback loop that can begin with heavier periods caused by thyroid disorder. (1)
Every woman knows that post menopause, bone health is a very real concern. This is especially true for those with thyroid disorders. This is because any changes in thyroid hormones can affect the balance of bone dissolution and replacement; because thyroid hormones control bone metabolism. Studies show that in people with hypothyroidism, bone formation is slowed by up to 50%! Hyperthyroidism can cause rapid bone loss and decrease the quality of any new bone formed. (4) They go on to show that Levothyroxine in post-menopausal women with hypothyroidism have a decrease in bone density. (5) What does this mean? Since the thyroid controls the balance of bone production and absorption, it is important for post-menopausal women to be proactive with their bone health.
Having too much or too little thyroid hormone can cause hair loss. The thyroid hormones T3/T4 affect hair development. Unlike other causes of hair loss, thyroid disorders cause hair loss all over the scalp rather than in discrete areas. It is important to note, people with a thyroid disorder due to auto immune issues, are often prone to other autoimmune disorders such as Alopecia aerate. However, in the case of Alopecia, the hair loss that results is discrete and often circular areas of hair. (7) This is important because postmenopausal women tend to have hair loss. Because estrogen and progesterone are decreased, it leads to an increase in androgens. This causes hair to grow slowly and the hair follicles to shrink; causing the existing hair to fall out. (8) Working with the underlying thyroid condition can help the hair loss long term.
Other concerns for women include mood swings and depression. It is well documented that menopausal women experience depression and anxiety. Thyroid disorders often have symptoms of depression and anxiety as well. (12)
So, what can you do if you experience these symptoms?
- DIM has been found to help with heavy, painful periods as well as PMS. DIM has also been found to help reduce the symptoms of both Perimenopause and menopause. Even hair loss associated with Menopause has been found to be helped by using DIM! (2) In my experience DIM is also helpful for those who have irregular periods. Please see Invite’s I-3-C with DIM!
- Calcium D-Glucarate has also been found to have a ton of benefits for female health! For example, it can help with irregular cycles, heavy, painful cycles and even hair loss! (3)
- B vitamins have been found to help improve fertility in studies! (13) Please see Invite’s Methyl-B and B Complex 100!
- Coq10 has been found to help improve egg quality. (13) Please see Invite’s Coq10 Ubiquinol 60mg/120mg and Oral Q10.
- Omega 3s not only reduces inflammation but can help improve egg quality. (13) See Invite’s Fish Oil and Krill Oil!
- Iron can help if you are having heavy periods and become anemic! (13) In fact, I have had many women tell me that taking Iron has reduced how much clotting they experience! See Invite’s Iron Plus.
- Calcium, magnesium, vitamin D and K are all considered essential nutrients for our bones! (6) And they are all in 1 convenient powder – Bone Powder! They are also found in Invite’s Multi Energy powder. If you do not like powders check out Invite’s Calplex, Cal-Mag, Vitamin K, Vitamin D (1000 and 3000 IU) as well as our extensive line of magnesium products!
- Green Tea has been found to help improve hair follicles! (9) Please see Invite’s Green Tea Tx and Hx!
- Collagen is one of the building blocks for so many parts of us and there are studies showing that it helps build hair! (10) Please see Invite’s Collagen Hx, Collagex HA and Beauty collagen gummies!
- Ashwagandha is an amazing nutrient for thyroid health. Studies have shown that Ashwagandha helps subclinical hypothyroidism in just over 8 weeks. See Invite’s Thyroid Hx! (14)
- Coleus forskohlii has been found in studies to work to increase synthesis of T4 by the thyroid (15) See InVite’s Thyroid Hx.
SOURCES
- Sharma, A. et al. (2018). Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha Root Extract in Subclinical Hypothyroid Patients: A Double-Blind, Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.), 24(3), 243–248.
- Hameed, S. I., Al-Shahwany, A. W., & Salih, S. J. (2020). Evaluation of the Activity of Some Plants Extracts on Thyroid Gland Regulation in Female Albino Rats. Iraqi Journal of Science, 254-265.
