Thyroid Slowdown in Menopause?

Why It Happens and What You Can Do

You know your body better than anyone. 

So when your energy dips, your jeans feel tighter, your skin starts acting up, or your brain fog is over, you notice. And often, you’re told it’s just “getting older” or “just menopause.”

But there’s another system that often goes overlooked. Your thyroid.

1. Understanding the Thyroid: Why It Matters More Than Ever After 40

The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland at the base of your neck. Despite its size, it regulates nearly every major system in the body, from your metabolism and body temperature to energy, digestion, menstrual cycles, skin, and mental clarity.

It does this by producing two hormones:

• T3 (triiodothyronine)
• T4 (thyroxine)
  

Both are made using iodine, an essential mineral your body can't make on its own.

During perimenopause and menopause, your hormone levels begin to fluctuate. This can disrupt thyroid hormone availability, increase the likelihood of subclinical hypothyroidism, and make existing thyroid issues worse.

2. Common Thyroid Symptoms, and the Ones We Don’t Talk About Enough

If your thyroid starts to slow down, you might notice:

• Fatigue or exhaustion that rest doesn’t fix
• Weight gain (especially around the midsection)
• Bloating or constipation
• Mood swings, anxiety, or low-grade depression
  
• Cold hands and feet
• Irregular or heavy periods
• Skin issues like dryness or neck rashes

🔎 Neck Rashes and Thyroid Inflammation

Many women report redness, itching, or inflammation around the front of the neck. This can sometimes be linked to Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune thyroid condition. If you notice a rash that won’t go away, or swelling near your throat, it’s time to check in with your doctor.

3. What to Ask Your Doctor: Thyroid Labs That Matter

If you're experiencing symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, or hormonal shifts and suspect your thyroid might be involved, lab work is the best place to start. But not all thyroid tests are created equal.

Many standard panels only check TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone), which gives a very limited view. To get the full picture, ask your doctor or provider to run these key labs:

🧪 TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone)
This measures how hard your brain is working to signal your thyroid. Elevated TSH can suggest hypothyroidism, but it's only part of the story.

🧪 Free T4 (Thyroxine)
The storage form of thyroid hormone. Important for understanding what your thyroid is producing.

🧪 Free T3 (Triiodothyronine)
The active thyroid hormone that fuels metabolism, mood, and energy. Many symptoms show up when T3 is low, even if TSH and T4 are “normal.”

🧪 Reverse T3
This is an “inactive” form of T3 that can build up under stress or chronic inflammation. A high reverse T3 may block your cells from using active T3.

🧪 Thyroid Antibodies (TPO & TgAb)
These test for Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune condition where your body attacks its own thyroid tissue. Common in women, especially around perimenopause.

🧪 Thyroglobulin (Tg)
Sometimes included to monitor inflammation or thyroid nodules over time.

💡Bonus labs to consider:

• Iron/ferritin (helps with T4 to T3 conversion)
• Vitamin D (low levels can impact thyroid + immune function)
• Zinc and selenium (cofactors for healthy thyroid hormone production)
• Cortisol or adrenal markers if stress is high

When you have the full thyroid picture, it's much easier to connect the dots between your symptoms and what your body needs, whether that's medication, nutrition, or both.

4. Thyroid Hormone Replacement: What You Need to Know

If lab work shows that your thyroid hormone levels are low, your provider may suggest thyroid hormone replacement therapy (THRT). This usually involves daily medication that mimics your body’s natural hormones.

• THRT helps regulate metabolism, energy, and menstrual rhythm
• It's often prescribed for hypothyroidism or if your thyroid has been removed, especially in women over 40
• Consistency and monitoring are essential: dosage needs can shift with stress, age, and lifestyle

Like all medications, THRT can come with side effects (including anxiety, heart palpitations, or insomnia if the dose is too high), so work closely with your healthcare provider.

5. Common Thyroid Medications, and What They Do

Here’s a quick guide to medications you might hear about:

⚠️ It’s important to personalize your treatment. What works for one woman may not work for another.

6. Natural Support for Thyroid Health (That Actually Works)

Whether you’re on medication or not, your thyroid needs fuel to function.

Key nutrients to support thyroid balance:

• Iodine: essential for producing T3 and T4
• Selenium: helps convert T4 into active T3
• Zinc: supports hormone synthesis and immune regulation
  

Seaweed: A Whole-Food Source of Iodine

Unlike synthetic supplements or iodized salt, seaweed provides iodine in its natural, food-based form. This makes it more bioavailable, and easier on your body.

Seaweed also contains:

• Prebiotic fiber to support gut–thyroid connection
• Antioxidants to combat inflammation
• Micronutrients that support metabolism and skin

At Rootless, we believe healing starts from foundational nourishment, not pills. That’s why we created the Daily Bite, delivering your full daily essential iodine needs from organic, traceable seaweed in one small, craveable chew.

7. When Should You Consider a Seaweed Supplement?

You might benefit from iodine-rich seaweed if:

• You have hypothyroidism or subclinical thyroid symptoms
• You’re over 40 and going through perimenopause or menopause
• You follow a vegan or dairy-free diet
• You no longer use iodized salt
• You’re feeling tired, bloated, or mentally foggy

⚠️ If you’ve been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, or are on thyroid meds, always talk to your doctor before adding iodine.

8. Choosing the Right Seaweed Supplement

Not all seaweed is created equal. Look for:

• Known iodine content on label
• Sustainable sourcing and screened for heavy metals
• No megadoses (too much iodine can be just as harmful as too little)
  

Rootless uses regeneratively sourced Proprietary Blend of 5 species of seaweed (earn more here) dosed for daily use (100% of your daily recommended value). 

9. Final Thoughts: Midlife Is a Wake-Up Call, Not a Write-Off

Thyroid health often gets overlooked, especially during menopause, when symptoms can be misattributed or brushed off.

But your thyroid is the hormone HQ of your body, regulating your hormones, your metabolism, your mood, and your energy.

When it’s nourished, everything shifts.

💡 Take the First Step

Try our 28-Day Rootless Pack and see what happens when your thyroid finally gets the fuel it’s been waiting for.

No pills. No guesswork. Just real food, real iodine, real results.