Ask Emily — thyroid health
QUESTION:
Are my hormones responsible for my hypothyroidism?
ANSWER:
The short answer is yes, because the thyroid gland itself is part of our endocrine
(hormone) system, meaning it produces and is itself regulated by hormones. And by
definition, and hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are conditions that result in
under- and overproduction of thyroid hormones, respectively.
But when most women think of hormones, they are thinking of their reproductive hormones.
Our bodies are constantly negotiating a delicate balance of hormones, and when one
pathway is impaired it can have negative effects on the thyroid. In many cases,
hypothyroidism first manifests in women at times of major fluctuations in their
reproductive hormones, such as pregnancy and menopause. The health of your adrenal
glands — responsible for the production of both your fight or flight hormones and
sex hormones, too, after menopause — is intimately connected to thyroid health.
Adrenal imbalance shares many symptoms with hypothyroidism, and can actually lead
to an underactive thyroid through the overproduction of cortisol.
Read our articles about thyroid health in women
More questions on thyroid health
Our NEW Personal Program for Thyroid Support
Natural relief for thyroid issues like low energy, unusual weight gain, and
skin issues
Our unique combination approach can restore thyroid balance to relieve the symptoms
that are interrupting your life. Women have come to us for more than 25 years for
answers to their thyroid issues — loss of energy, fuzzy thinking, muscle aches,
difficulty tolerating the cold, hair and skin changes, and more. You get exclusive
supplements, thyroid-specific lifestyle and diet guidance, and support you can count
on.
Last Modified:
04/18/2011