A StrongHer Guide to Thyroid Health, Hormones & Self-Advocacy

 Thyroid Awareness Month 

A StrongHer Guide to Thyroid Health, Hormones & Self-Advocacy 

If you’re exhausted no matter how much you rest… 
If your weight has changed without explanation… 
If your hair is thinning, your mood feels off, or your brain feels foggy… 
If you’ve been told “your labs are normal” — but your body says otherwise… 

This blog is for you. 

The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland with an enormous role in the body. It regulates metabolism, energy, temperature, heart rate, mood, fertility, and hormone balance. And yet, thyroid dysfunction is one of the most overlooked, misunderstood, and under-tested health issues in women. 

January is Thyroid Awareness Month, and it’s time we talk about thyroid health the way women actually experience it — with honesty, education, and empowerment. 

Why Thyroid Issues Disproportionately Affect Women 

Women are 5–8 times more likely than men to develop thyroid disorders. Hormonal shifts make the thyroid especially vulnerable during: 

• Pregnancy & postpartum 
• Perimenopause 
• Menopause 

Symptoms are often dismissed as “normal life changes,” anxiety, or aging — leading many women to struggle silently for years before getting answers.  

Common Thyroid Symptoms Women Shouldn’t Ignore 

Thyroid imbalance often shows up as a pattern, not a single symptom: 

• Persistent fatigue 
• Weight gain or inability to lose weight 
• Hair thinning or hair loss 
• Cold sensitivity 
• Dry skin, brittle nails 
• Brain fog, anxiety, low mood 
• Irregular or heavy periods 
• Fertility challenges 
• Constipation or sluggish digestion 

If this sounds familiar, you are not alone — and you are not imagining it. 

When the Thyroid Becomes an Autoimmune Target 

For many women, thyroid dysfunction is not just a hormone problem — it’s an immune system issue first. 

Autoimmune thyroid disease occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland, leading to chronic inflammation and damage. 

The Most Common Autoimmune Thyroid Conditions 

• Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis → underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) 
• Graves’ Disease → overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) 
• Postpartum Thyroiditis → often temporary, sometimes permanent 

The Key Truth 

Hashimoto’s is an immune condition first. 
Thyroid dysfunction is the result — not the root cause. 

This is why stress, gut health, inflammation, and environmental exposures matter just as much as hormone levels. 

Advocating for Comprehensive Thyroid Testing 

Many women receive only one test: TSH. While important, TSH alone does not tell the full story. 

A Full Thyroid Panel May Include: 

• TSH 
• Free T4 
• Free T3 
• Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) antibodies 
• Thyroglobulin (Tg) antibodies 
• Reverse T3 (in some cases) 

Comprehensive testing is especially important if you: 

• Have ongoing symptoms 
• Have a family history of thyroid or autoimmune disease 
• Are postpartum, perimenopausal, or trying to conceive 

Tracking symptoms, understanding “optimal vs. normal,” and preparing properly for labs (such as stopping biotin before testing) can make a significant difference. 

Thyroid Health & Mental Health 

The Overlooked Connection 

Thyroid imbalance doesn’t just affect metabolism — it deeply impacts mental and emotional health. 

Common Mental & Emotional Signs 

• Anxiety or panic 
• Depression or emotional numbness 
• Brain fog 
• Poor concentration 
• Irritability 
• Loss of motivation 
• Feeling disconnected from yourself 

These symptoms are biological, not personal failures. 

Why This Happens 

• Thyroid hormones regulate serotonin and dopamine 
• Cortisol (stress hormone) blocks thyroid hormone conversion 
• Autoimmune inflammation disrupts brain signaling 

This is why thyroid imbalance is often misdiagnosed as anxiety or depression alone. 

Nervous System Regulation: Essential Thyroid Support 

Chronic stress keeps the body stuck in fight-or-flight, raising cortisol and blocking the conversion of inactive T4 into active T3 — even when labs appear “normal.” 

Why 15–20 Minutes a Day Matters 

Daily breathwork, gentle yoga, or journaling: 

• Activates the parasympathetic nervous system 
• Lowers cortisol 
• Reduces inflammation 
• Improves sleep 
• Supports immune balance 
• Helps the body feel safe enough to heal 

This is not indulgent self-care. 
This is foundational thyroid and mental health support. 

Environmental & In-Home Thyroid Disruptors 

The Hidden Daily Load 

Many everyday products contain chemicals that interfere with thyroid function by mimicking hormones, blocking iodine uptake, or disrupting hormone signaling. 

Common Sources Include: 

• Plastics & food packaging (BPA, phthalates) 
• Personal care products & synthetic fragrance 
• Cleaning products & air fresheners 
• Non-stick cookware (PFAS) 
• Unfiltered water 
• Pesticide residue on food 
• Air pollution 

StrongHer Shift (Not Perfection) 

Start small: 

• Glass or stainless-steel containers 
• Filtered water 
• Fragrance-free products 
• Thoroughly washing produce 

Lowering the toxic load gives the thyroid and immune system less to manage. 

 

Natural Thyroid Support: Food as Foundation 

A thyroid-supportive diet focuses on whole, nutrient-dense foods and often mirrors a Mediterranean-style pattern. 

Key Nutrients Include: 

• Selenium 
• Zinc 
• Iodine (in moderation) 
• Iron 
• Vitamin D 
• B vitamins 
• Omega-3 fats 
• Probiotics

Diversity matters — especially for gut health, which plays a key role in thyroid hormone conversion. 

 

Anti-Inflammatory Thyroid-Supportive Meal 

Lemon Herb Salmon Bowl 

Why it works: 

• Omega-3s reduce inflammation 
• Protein supports hormone signaling 
• Fiber supports the gut-thyroid connection 

Anti-Inflammatory • Thyroid-Supportive • Gut-Friendly 

 

Supportive Tools: Vibration & Grounding 

• Vibration pads support lymphatic flow, circulation, and parasympathetic activation 
• Grounding (earthing) pads help calm the nervous system, reduce inflammation, and improve sleep 

These tools don’t replace care — they support regulation and recovery. 

 

Herbal Support (With Professional Guidance) 

Certain herbs are traditionally used for thyroid support, but they are powerful and individualized. 

• Hypothyroid support may include: 
• ashwagandha 
• black cumin  
• ginger 
• nettle 
• Hyperthyroid support may include: 
• Bugleweed 
• lemon balm 
• motherwort 

Always consult a qualified healthcare provider, as herbs can interact with medications. 

 

StrongHer Closing 🦋💜 

Here is the truth every woman deserves to hear: 

You know your body better than anyone — including your doctors. 

If something feels off, trust that signal. 
If you’re dismissed, ask again. 
If testing is incomplete, advocate for more. 

This isn’t about rejecting medicine — it’s about participating in your care. 

You are not difficult for asking questions. 
You are not dramatic for wanting answers. 
And you are not required to accept “normal labs” when your body says otherwise. 

Fight for the testing. 
Fight for the care. 
Fight for yourself. 

💜 That is StrongHer health. 💜