[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_image src=”https:\/\/womensvoice.com\/en-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/pcos_banner.png” alt=”Three middle aged men jumping and very happy” title_text=”pcos_banner” admin_label=”Fullwidth Image” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”500″ box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_fullwidth_image][et_pb_fullwidth_code raw_content_tablet=”<\/p>\n
Parents face ongoing challenges in raising healthy, well-nourished children in a world where sugary temptations lurk around every corner.<\/p>\n
” raw_content_phone=”” raw_content_last_edited=”on|desktop” admin_label=”Text – Fullwidth Leader Text” module_id=”fullwidth-leader-text” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”500″ box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”] PCOS and thyroid disorders<\/strong>, in particular hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), are widespread in women of reproductive age. Symptoms include irregular periods, fertility issues, weight gain, fatigue, and mood swings<\/strong>, which can overlap, making it hard to distinguish between two or more conditions. Both are driven by hormonal imbalances that affect reproductive, metabolic, and mental health. Having both conditions can worsen fertility issues and increase risks for heart disease and diabetes.<\/p>\n WHAT IS PCOS?<\/strong><\/p>\n Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder that affects about 10\u201320% of women worldwide<\/strong>. Symptoms include irregular or missed periods (when off birth control), sometimes small cysts on the ovaries (seen on ultrasound), and high androgen (testosterone) levels (e.g., excess facial hair and acne). These may be accompanied by weight gain and scalp hair thinning, as well as mood swings and anxiety \u2013 often linked to blood sugar imbalances. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n THE PCOS AND THYROID CONNECTION<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n The thyroid, a small butterfly-shaped gland in your throat, regulates many vital functions, including heartbeat, body temperature, metabolism, mood, and reproductive hormone production.<\/strong> When it\u2019s underactive, a condition called hypothyroidism, it produces too few thyroid hormones, slowing down body functions. This can cause symptoms like fatigue\/low energy, brain fog, cold sensitivity, dry skin, hair thinning, weight gain, irregular ovulation, low progesterone, and menstrual issues (e.g., heavy bleeding or irregular cycles), and symptoms of depression. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Hypothyroidism is the most common thyroid disorder in women with PCOS, often each worsening the other condition. Both disrupt hormones and menstrual cycles, impacting fertility. Studies have found another connection between PCOS and hypothyroidism. Women with PCOS are more likely to develop Hashimoto\u2019s disease, an autoimmune disorder where the body attacks the thyroid, marked by high thyroid antibodies, as well as thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) as the disease progresses. Hashimoto\u2019s, in turn, can often lead to hypothyroidism.<\/p>\n LIMITATIONS OF THYROID HEALTH TESTING<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n TSH, produced by the pituitary gland (brain), signals the thyroid how much T4 (thyroxine) and T3 (triiodothyronine) to make.<\/strong> While commonly used as a primary marker to assess thyroid health, TSH alone doesn\u2019t always give the full picture and should be tested alongside T4 and sometimes T3.<\/p>\n Some people still experience fatigue, weight gain, or brain fog despite having \u201cnormal\u201d TSH levels \u2013 a condition called functional hypothyroidism. This often requires advanced testing for free T3 and T4, and thyroid antibodies. Routine TSH testing alone may miss several issues, especially in autoimmune thyroid conditions like Hashimoto\u2019s, where TSH can appear normal while T4 and T3 levels are low or ineffective.<\/p>\n SUPPLEMENTS FOR PCOS AND THYROID HEALTH<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n If you have PCOS, check your thyroid hormones (including autoantibodies) regularly. Catching issues early and making lifestyle shifts, such as exercise, a nutrient-dense diet, stress management, and quality sleep, are key to managing symptoms and protecting your long-term health. While supplements can provide support, they always work best as part of a holistic approach.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n<\/span>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" PCOS and thyroid disorders, in particular hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), are widespread in women of reproductive age. Symptoms include irregular periods, fertility issues, weight gain, fatigue, and mood swings, which can overlap, making it hard to distinguish between two or more conditions. Both are driven by hormonal imbalances that affect reproductive, metabolic, and mental health. Having […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":82,"featured_media":40149,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","apple_news_api_created_at":"","apple_news_api_id":"","apple_news_api_modified_at":"","apple_news_api_revision":"","apple_news_api_share_url":"","apple_news_cover_media_provider":"image","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_cover_video_id":0,"apple_news_cover_video_url":"","apple_news_cover_embedwebvideo_url":"","apple_news_is_hidden":"","apple_news_is_paid":"","apple_news_is_preview":"","apple_news_is_sponsored":"","apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_metadata":"\"\"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_slug":"","apple_news_sections":[],"apple_news_suppress_video_url":false,"apple_news_use_image_component":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-40145","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health","et-has-post-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"apple_news_notices":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n
As well, in aggravating symptoms of PCOS, the combination of both can increase risks of insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, weight struggles, and even anxiety and depression. Because symptoms of both conditions overlap, it makes diagnosis more challenging.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n
\n