20/01/2026
January Is Thyroid Awareness Month:
January marks Thyroid Awareness Month, a time dedicated to shining a light on one of the most overlooked yet essential glands in the body. Despite its small size, the thyroid plays a powerful role in regulating metabolism, energy, mood, temperature, cognitive function, and overall hormonal balance. When it isn’t functioning properly, the effects can be widespread, and often mistaken for something else entirely.
What Is the Thyroid and Why Is Awareness Important?
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the neck. It produces hormones (primarily T3 and T4) that influence almost every system in the body. When thyroid hormone levels are too low (hypothyroidism) or too high (hyperthyroidism), the symptoms can be significant and sometimes debilitating.
Raising awareness helps people recognise symptoms early, access appropriate testing, and receive timely treatment. Untreated thyroid disorders can lead to serious long-term health issues, including cardiovascular problems, fertility issues, and metabolic complications.
Common Signs of Thyroid Dysfunction
Thyroid symptoms vary depending on whether levels are too high or too low, and they often overlap with other conditions, which is why they are so easy to miss.
Symptoms of Hypothyroidism (Underactive Thyroid)
• Persistent fatigue or low energy
• Weight gain or difficulty losing weight
• Feeling cold all the time
• Dry skin and hair thinning
• Low mood or depression
• Constipation
• Brain fog or slower thinking
• Muscle aches or joint stiffness
Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism (Overactive Thyroid)
• Unexplained weight loss
• Feeling hot or sweating excessively
• Anxiety, irritability, or restlessness
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Tremors
• Trouble sleeping
• Increased bowel movements
• Thinning hair or brittle nails
If you notice any of these symptoms, especially if more than one applies, it is worth discussing with your GP.
How Thyroid Issues Are Diagnosed
Diagnosing thyroid problems is usually straightforward with a simple blood test. Your GP can order:
• TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone), the most common first-line test
• Free T4 (Thyroxine)
• Free T3 (Triiodothyronine)
• Thyroid antibodies (to check for autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto’s or Graves’)
These tests help pinpoint whether the thyroid is underactive, overactive, or being affected by an autoimmune process.
Women in midlife are at the highest risk for thyroid disorders, especially hypothyroidism, yet many menopausal women never get their thyroid tested. This is understandable, as many thyroid symptoms mimic menopause:
• Fatigue
• Weight changes
• Anxiety
• Low mood
• Hot or cold intolerance
• Brain fog
• Sleep issues
• Changes in hair, skin, and nails
Because the symptoms overlap, it is easy for thyroid dysfunction to be dismissed as “just menopause”, leaving many women struggling unnecessarily.
Given this overlap, women going through perimenopause or menopause should consider asking their GP for a thyroid function test as part of their health check. It is a small step that could provide big answers, and potentially open the door to effective treatment.
Why This Month Matters
Thyroid Awareness Month is an important reminder to listen to your body, take symptoms seriously, and not dismiss changes as part of getting older. Whether you are experiencing new symptoms or simply want reassurance, talking to your GP is a proactive step.
Early detection can transform quality of life.
And for women navigating menopause, a phase already full of hormonal shifts, checking your thyroid function can offer clarity, reassurance, and in some cases, life-changing treatment.
Jo 💚💜
Thank you Murray (Permission to share)
