IS IT THYROID DISEASE OR MENOPAUSE?

Sis, I have been on social media viewing all of the influencers “educating” women on menopause symptoms. What if I told you that what you are experiencing may not be menopause? In 2023, I was 25 pounds heavier than I had ever been in my life, despite working out six times a week, eating clean, and doing all the right things. I went to my OBGYN and asked for a FULL HORMONE PANEL. She checked the following hormone levels: Estrogen, Progesterone, Testosterone, Thyroid Hormones (T3, T4, & TSH), and my Thyroid Antibodies.

Everything is not Thyroid Disease or Menopause

What if I told you that what you are experiencing may not be menopause? In 2023, I was 25 pounds heavier than I had ever been in my life, despite working out six times a week, eating clean, and doing all the right things. I went to my OBGYN and asked for a FULL HORMONE PANEL. She checked the following hormone levels: Estrogen, Progesterone, Testosterone, Thyroid Hormones (T3, T4, & TSH), and my Thyroid Antibodies. Everything was normal except my thyroid antibodies. To put this into perspective, a normal thyroid antibody level is less than 9; mine was greater than 900! I had full-blown Hashimoto’s Disease, an autoimmune disease that attacks the thyroid. This disease gave me all the symptoms of menopause without menopause.

Sis, imagine if I had thought my weight gain was because I am almost 50 and possibly menopausal? After my OBGYN confirmed my diagnosis (Dx) was Hashimoto’s, she told me, “You could have another baby if you want to.” Her words confirmed that I was nowhere near menopause. I thought the night sweats were another sign that I was in menopause. Nope. That is another symptom of thyroid disease that I had no clue of.

You will not know if you are dealing with thyroid disease or menopause based on your symptoms. It is easy to brush off hot flashes, weight gain, irritability, and all the things as menopause, but sis, I promise you, what seems like menopause is not always menopause.

The only way you will confirm if you are managing thyroid disease or menopause is to get tested.

Why Knowing Your Status is Important

Unfortunately, because of the unclear and overlapping symptoms, thyroid disease can often go undetected for years. This can lead to a damaged thyroid, and since the thyroid is our body’s master gland that communicates with the rest of the body, we want to keep it as healthy as possible. When communicating with your physician, request a comprehensive thyroid panel and a full hormone panel. These tests will confirm if you are in menopause and/or if your thyroid is not functioning as it is supposed to.

Often, women’s health issues are brushed off and not given the necessary attention that is needed. At Alicia Nicole Magazine, we will continue to provide health education on concerns that affect Black women and Black girls.

Sis, if you are over 30 and you have any of the symptoms mentioned above, please request a thyroid and hormone panel from your physician. This advocacy saved my life and could save yours.