My Perimenopause Health Journey Part II: What My Thyroid Labs Revealed. After sharing my HTMA results in Part I, one of the areas I wanted to investigate further was my thyroid.
You can listen to this article here.
Many of the symptoms I’d been experiencing can be associated with reduced thyroid function:
- Hair breakage and coarseness
- Dryer, aging skin
- Lower belly fat gain
- Cold feet at night
- Puffiness around the face and eyes
- Fluid retention
- Difficulty tolerating dietary fat at times
- Rising LDL cholesterol
That doesn’t automatically mean someone has hypothyroidism. Many of these symptoms can overlap with stress, mineral imbalances, and perimenopause as well.
But because thyroid hormones influence metabolism, energy production, skin health, hair growth, digestion, cholesterol metabolism, and body temperature regulation, it felt like an important area to explore.
Why I Started with the HTMA
Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis is a great test that will give you a solid overview of the systems of the body that may need more support. It gives you clues as to where to look deeper.
One of the most significant findings on my HTMA was an elevated calcium-to-potassium ratio. Within HTMA interpretation, this ratio is often used as a marker of thyroid effect at the tissue level.
My ratio was elevated, suggesting reduced thyroid hormone activity within cells despite normal thyroid hormone production. My HTMA also showed:
- Slow oxidation
- A calcium shell pattern
- Low sodium-to-potassium ratio
- Long-term stress adaptation patterns
These findings aligned surprisingly well with many of the symptoms I was experiencing so I decided to dig really deep into thyroid blood work.
Understanding Thyroid Hormones
The thyroid conversation can become confusing quickly because there are several different hormones involved.
TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) is produced by the brain and acts like a signal to the thyroid gland. When the brain senses that more thyroid activity is needed, it increases TSH.
The thyroid gland primarily produces T4. T4 is often described as the storage form of thyroid hormone.
Most of the metabolic effects people associate with thyroid health come from T3, the active thyroid hormone. Your body must convert T4 into T3 before it can be used effectively by cells.
There is also Reverse T3, which is an inactive form of thyroid hormone that can increase during periods of stress, illness, calorie restriction, or other situations where the body is trying to conserve energy.
Why Standard Thyroid Testing Doesn’t Always Tell The Full Story
Many people only have TSH tested. While TSH is valuable, it doesn’t tell us:
- how much active thyroid hormone is available
- how well T4 is being converted
- whether autoimmune thyroid disease is present
Because I wanted a more complete picture, I decided to look at:
- TSH
- Free T3
- Total T4
- Reverse T3
- Thyroid antibodies
Why It’s Important to Look at Trends in Labs & Tests
One thing I’ve learned is that trends are often more valuable than a single lab result.
Over the past year, my Free T3 increased from 2.1 pg/mL in June 2025 to 2.2 pg/mL in October 2025 and most recently to 2.5 pg/mL in May 2026. While this trend is moving in the right direction, it still falls below the functional range I would ideally like to see.
During that same period, my TSH increased from 1.84 mIU/L in June 2025 to 2.69 mIU/L in October 2025 and then to 3.24 mIU/L in May 2026. This suggests my brain is sending a stronger signal to the thyroid gland, essentially asking for more thyroid activity.
My Total T4 remained normal at 6.9.
Because of the trending up of Free T3 and TSH I ordered additional blood work and found my Reverse T3 came back at 16 which is a bit higher than optimal. But thankfully, my thyroid antibodies were negative so I can rule out autoimmunity.
Reverse T3 was added because it can provide additional context regarding thyroid hormone conversion and metabolic adaptation.
My Reverse T3 was mildly elevated at 16, which may reflect some degree of stress adaptation rather than a primary thyroid disorder.
So when I look at these results together, I don’t see a thyroid gland that is failing. I see a body that appears to be producing adequate thyroid hormone but may not be utilizing it as efficiently as I would like.
Where Perimenopause Fits Into The Conversation
One of the most important things I’ve learned is that thyroid health does not exist in isolation. Hormones, stress and sleep all influence thyroid function. And as I continue this journey, I am becoming increasingly interested in the connection between thyroid function and perimenopause.
My progesterone levels have been declining, my stress load has been high over the past year, and many of the symptoms commonly blamed on thyroid dysfunction overlap with hormonal changes that occur during perimenopause.
In Part III, I’ll dive deeper into that relationship and discuss what my hormone testing has revealed so far.
My Next Steps
At this point, my goal isn’t to chase lab numbers. My focus is creating an environment where my body can better utilize the hormones it is already producing.
One of the biggest changes I’ve made is shifting my attention toward supporting thyroid function through food first. Rather than looking for a single supplement or quick fix, I’ve focused on consistently providing the nutrients needed for hormone production, conversion, and overall metabolic health.
I’ve been prioritizing high-quality animal protein at every meal, consuming egg yolks daily for their choline, vitamin A, and trace mineral content, and incorporating seafood regularly to provide iodine, selenium, zinc, copper, and other nutrients that play important roles in thyroid function. I’ve also been more intentional about consuming potassium-rich foods such as bananas and potatoes while maintaining adequate sodium intake through salting my meals.
Because digestion and bile flow can influence hormone metabolism, I’ve added foods such as arugula, onions, garlic, and pineapple on a regular basis. I’ve also been making a conscious effort to reduce alcohol intake, improve hydration, and stay consistent with my overall nutrition rather than relying on perfection.
My supplement protocol has evolved as I’ve gathered more information. I removed supplemental vitamin C, zinc, and glutathione while adding NAC and omega-3 fish oil. NAC serves as a precursor to glutathione production, supporting the body’s own antioxidant systems, while omega-3 fatty acids help support cellular health, inflammation balance, and hormone signaling.
I’ve also reduced my daily L-glutamine intake after several weeks of focused gut and tissue support. My current supplement routine remains centered around foundational support, including magnesium, digestive support, electrolytes, targeted nutrients, and the lifestyle practices that have already been making a noticeable difference.
The most important changes haven’t come from supplements at all.
Over the past several weeks, I’ve intentionally slowed down. I’ve spent more time reading in bed with Frank, journaling, taking screen-free walks, practicing breath work, drinking chamomile tea, foam rolling before bed, and simply creating more opportunities for my nervous system to shift into a parasympathetic state.
While I still have more questions than answers, I have already noticed improvements in my sleep, mood, recovery, cravings, and overall sense of well-being. As I continue gathering information through additional testing, my goal remains the same: support my body, listen to the data, and make decisions based on what is actually happening physiologically rather than guessing.
Stay tuned as I continue sharing more about this journey.
Your Coach,
Kyra