Why Women Have More Thyroid Issues Than Men

Did you know women are much more likely to have thyroid problems than men? In fact, women are 5 to 10 times more likely to be diagnosed with thyroid conditions like hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s disease. But why is that? Let’s explore the reasons and what women can do to protect their thyroid health.

Hormones Play a Big Role

One big reason is hormones. Women go through more hormone changes than men. These changes happen during:

• Puberty

• Pregnancy

• Postpartum

• Perimenopause and menopause

Each time hormones shift, the thyroid can get thrown off balance. This makes it easier for thyroid problems to show up.

Autoimmune Conditions Are More Common in Women

The most common cause of low thyroid (hypothyroidism) is an autoimmune disease called Hashimoto’s. With Hashimoto’s, the immune system attacks the thyroid by mistake. And here’s the thing—women are much more likely to have autoimmune diseases than men. This means more women end up with thyroid trouble.

Why Many Women Are Misdiagnosed

Sometimes women’s thyroid symptoms like tiredness, mood swings, weight gain, or brain fog get brushed off as “just stress” or “just hormones.” Many women are told their labs are normal, even when they don’t feel good.

That’s why functional medicine is so helpful. It looks deeper and connects the dots between thyroid health, hormones, stress, gut health, and lifestyle.

What Women Can Do

• Get the Right Tests: Ask for a full thyroid panel, including T3, T4, and thyroid antibodies.

• Track Your Symptoms: Write down how you feel each day. You know your body best.

• Support Your Hormones: Sleep, gentle exercise, and healthy food can help balance hormones naturally.

• Work with a Functional Medicine Practitioner: They’ll help find the root cause and create a plan just for you.

Know Your Body, Trust Your Gut

If you’re a woman who feels “off” but you have not found the right answers, don’t give up. Thyroid issues are common but they’re also manageable, especially when you get the care you truly need. Getting to the truth about your thyroid is the first step toward feeling better.

If you’ve been told “everything looks normal” but you still feel that something is wrong, trust yourself. The right information and the right care can make all the difference.