Episode 87: How Estrogen, Progesterone, and Stress Disrupt Your Thyroid Function
Are your energy levels dropping, your moods swinging, or your weight creeping up without a clear reason? You’re not alone, and you’re not imagining it. The missing link might be hormonal. In this episode, we break down how your female hormones (estrogen and progesterone) and stress directly impact thyroid function, and why so many women are misdiagnosed or dismissed.
You’ll learn how hormonal imbalance, especially during perimenopause, postpartum, or chronic stress, can trigger thyroid dysfunction, even if your blood tests say otherwise. We explore how high estrogen can block thyroid hormone availability, why low progesterone leads to thyroid sensitivity issues, and how cortisol disrupts hormone conversion. These shifts explain symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, irregular periods, infertility, or mood swings. We’ll also talk about the postpartum period, autoimmune thyroid conditions like Hashimoto’s, and why symptoms are often missed or misdiagnosed.
You will have practical strategies to take charge of your hormone health using functional testing tools like the DUTCH test and full thyroid panels. Whether you're trying to conceive, recovering postpartum, navigating perimenopause, or redefining life post-menopause, understanding your thyroid is essential.
Don’t settle for “it’s just stress” or “it’s normal for your age”, you deserve clarity and personalized care. Share this episode with the women in your life, it could be life-changing.
DISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast and related website is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice. It is not intended to be used to diagnose or treat, instead it is designed to help educate and inspire. Always seek the advice of a professional medical practitioner or qualified health practitioner. Never ignore or disregard advice given to you based on information in this podcast or related website and do not delay in seeking medical advice.
Timestamps:
[02:00] - The hormonal-thyroid connection: How estrogen and progesterone impact thyroid function
[03:00] - The role of progesterone in thyroid health: Why it’s crucial for thyroid sensitivity and stress resilience
[05:15] - Thyroid and menstrual cycle symptoms: How even mild thyroid issues can disrupt your period
[07:00] - Pregnancy and thyroid health: Why thyroid demand increases and how it can trigger autoimmune issues
[09:20] - The perimenopause years: Why thyroid symptoms often flare up or get misdiagnosed
[11:40] - Menopause: How low estrogen and progesterone amplify thyroid dysfunction
[14:00] - Functional hormone testing: How the DUTCH test reveals deeper thyroid-hormone patterns
“Your thyroid doesn’t operate in isolation, estrogen, progesterone, and stress all play a role in how well it functions. And this happens during perimenopause, menopause, pregnancy and postpartum”
Essential learnings from this episode…
Estrogen, progesterone, and cortisol directly impact thyroid function. When these hormones shift, during perimenopause, stress, or postpartum, it can trigger thyroid dysfunction even with normal lab results.
Low progesterone reduces thyroid hormone sensitivity. This leads to symptoms like anxiety, brain fog, poor sleep, and irregular cycles, particularly during perimenopause and high-stress periods.
Menstrual cycle changes often indicate thyroid imbalance. Heavy bleeding, irregular periods, and worsened PMS can stem from subtle thyroid issues, especially when paired with nutrient depletion or chronic stress.
Pregnancy and postpartum are critical times for thyroid health. Thyroid hormone needs rise in early pregnancy, and many women develop Hashimoto’s or postpartum thyroiditis after giving birth.
Perimenopause amplifies existing thyroid symptoms. The drop in progesterone and fluctuating estrogen levels during perimenopause often trigger fatigue, mood swings, and cognitive issues linked to the thyroid.
Functional testing reveals what standard labs miss. The DUTCH hormone test helps identify hormone imbalances, estrogen dominance, and cortisol disruption that affect thyroid conversion and energy levels.
EPISODE 87
Important links & mentions from this episode
Episode 13 with Frankie Gaff
Take the FREE MitoImmune Health Assessment
Connect with Nicole on Instagram
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