Tired All the Time? Gained Weight Without Changing Your Diet? PMS?
It Might Be Your Thyroid.
What is the Thyroid, and Why Does It Matter?
The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located in the front of your throat. As part of your endocrine system, it produces hormones essential for nearly every function in your body.
In fact, thyroid hormone receptors are found in almost all organs, which is why thyroid dysfunction can cause such a wide range of symptoms.
How Does the Thyroid Work?
Your thyroid produces hormones that stimulate every cell in your body. This stimulation is vital for:
Healthy digestion
Detoxification
Ovulation
Energy levels
Body fat maintenance
What Happens When Thyroid Function Is Not Optimal?
The most common thyroid disorder is hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid. This is a slowing down of thyroid function and consequently body processes. This can occur when:
The thyroid doesn’t produce enough hormone.
The inactive hormone (T4) isn’t converted into the active form (T3).
The body isn’t effectively using thyroid hormones.
Who’s Most at Risk for Thyroid Disorders?
Hypothyroidism is more common in women, with prevalence increasing with age. Around 10% of adult women are affected, many undiagnosed. During perimenopause, this rises to 15–20%. Perimenopause like puberty or pregnancy can be a destabilising time and many symptoms women may brush off as simply perimenopause, can indeed be due to undiagnosed hypothyroidism.
Symptoms of Hypothyroidism
Do these symptoms sound familiar?
Fatigue
Irregular or heavy periods
Infertility
Hair loss
Dry skin and cracked heels
Fluid retention
High cholesterol on blood tests
Feeling cold all the time
Digestive problems
Brain fog and depression
Lines or swelling on the neck
If you are nodding to a lot of these, especially alongside a family history of thyroid issues, it’s absolutely worth investigating further.
What If My Doctor Says My Thyroid Is Fine?
Many women with thyroid dysfunction are told their thyroid is “normal,” but symptoms persist. Here’s why:
Declining Function Still in Range
Your thyroid may be under strain but still within the standard reference range. By acting early, you can often prevent further damage. Many women will feel terrible at either end of the range too. Tests are just one piece of the picture.
Inadequate Testing
Standard tests often include only TSH and T4, which don’t give the full picture. Testing for T3 and thyroid antibodies is critical, as autoimmunity causes up to 90% of hypothyroidism cases.
How I Can Help
As a qualified clinical nutritionist, I offer a functional approach to thyroid health, including:
Comprehensive thyroid panels (including T3, antibodies, and reverse T3).
A deep dive into your symptoms, test results, and health history.
Personalised nutrition and lifestyle recommendations to address root causes like stress, gut health, toxins, and nutrient deficiencies. I look into where in the thyroid feedback loop things are going wrong for clues, alongside testing and spending the time to listen to you.
If you’ve been told “everything is fine” but don’t feel that way, you’re not alone, this was my story too (even with an ultrasound showing my thyroid was not fine). I’ve been there, healed, and ready to support you.
Ready to Take Control of Your Thyroid Health? Don’t wait for things to get worse. With personalised testing and holistic solutions, you can finally get the answers and support you need.
👉 Book a 1:1 consultation and let’s uncover what’s holding you back from feeling your best.
