Your thyroid is not just “another hormone”—it’s the maestro that sets the tempo for your whole body, and it especially needs love as progesterone drops in perimenopause. But here’s the problem: so many practitioners still miss the real story. If all you’ve had checked is your TSH and you were told “it’s normal,” you could still be sidelined by sluggish thyroid symptoms—because so much more is happening under the surface.
A full thyroid panel really matters. That means pushing for TSH, free T4, free T3, reverse T3, and thyroid antibodies. But it doesn’t stop with testing. You need someone looking at your labs with a functional lens (the ‘optimal’ prevention-focused ranges, not just “fine for the average population”) and someone who understands the nuances—like how stress, inflammation, and gut health all play a role in your thyroid feeling sluggish.
Here’s what I cover in this episode:
The Unsuspected Signs of Hypothyroidism:
Do you experience constipation, hair loss, low libido, dry skin, persistent bloating, cold extremities, brain fog, low mood, or that crushing fatigue that never seems to go away? Even if you only check off a couple of these, your thyroid could be calling out for help!
Why Thyroid Issues Ramp Up in Midlife:
Progesterone drops, and the thyroid loves progesterone—so as we hit our late 30s and onward, things can really start to shift.
The Problem with “Normal” Lab Results:
It’s not just about getting your labs done. It matters which labs you get (hello, TSH, free T4, free T3, reverse T3, and thyroid antibodies!)—and, crucially, how those results are interpreted. Way too many practitioners only test TSH or TSH and T4, and that barely scratches the surface.
What a Full Thyroid Panel Should Include:
I break down each marker and what it really tells you. Spoiler: You can look “normal” on paper and still feel awful if your labs aren’t interpreted with optimal health in mind.
The Role of Reverse T3:
This one is a game changer! If your reverse T3 is high, it blocks active thyroid hormone from getting into your cells—so you might have plenty in your blood, but your body still acts hypothyroid.
Why Gut Health and Nutrient Levels Matter:
Your thyroid health is deeply tied to your gut, inflammation, and minerals like copper, iron, and magnesium. And honestly, self-supplementing often does more harm than good here.
How I Help Clients Bridge the Knowledge Gap:
If you’re feeling unheard by your provider, I can help interpret your labs and give guidance you can take back to your doctor, so you’re getting targeted support.
You may also enjoy this episode:
EPISODE 43: All about thyroid health with Annabel Bateman
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Mentioned in this episode:
HRT Made Simple™ – Learn how to confidently speak to your doctor about the benefits of hormone replacement therapy so you can set yourself up for symptom-free, unmedicated years to come without feeling confused, dismissed, or leaving the medical office minus your HRT script.
Hair Loss Solutions Made Simple™ – This course will teach you the best natural, highly effective, and safe solutions for your hair loss so you can stop it, reverse it, and regrow healthy hair without turning to medications.
The Hormone Balance Solution™ – My signature 6-month comprehensive hormonal health program for women in midlife who want to get solid answers to their hormonal health issues once and for all so they can kick the weight gain, moodiness, gut problems, skin issues, period problems, fatigue, overwhelm, insomnia, hair/eyebrow loss, and other symptoms in order to get back to the woman they once were.
[FREE] The Ultimate Midlife Perimenopause Handbook – Grab my free guide and RECLAIM your confidence, your mood, your waistline and energy without turning to medications or restrictive diets (or spending a fortune on testing you don’t need!).
[BOOK A 30-MINUTE SESSION WITH TARA HERE]
Hi, I'm Tara Thorne, FDN-P, RHN, FNC, CMRCP. Basically? I’m a women's health and hormone expert. After serving thousands of women in my 10+ years of clinical experience, I bring you The Hormone Balance Solution podcast – a podcast aimed to educate and empower midlife women.
Midlife can be a confronting time but it doesn’t have to be a bumpy ride. No matter where you’re at, or where you’ve come from we can get you feeling better in midlife than you have in years – plus set yourself up for healthier decades to come.
I’ll be bringing you weekly doses of inspiration, education and conversations with amazing people to give you real, actionable strategies for supporting your health now and in the future.
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