Thyroid Myths
Written with Ann Arbor Holistic Health Practitioner, Eila Buszko, FDN-P
After facing autoimmune issues and chronic digestive struggles, Eila found lasting relief through a root-cause approach, and made it her mission to help others do the same. She is a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner with over five years of clinical experience and holds additional certifications in gut health, women's hormones, and integrative nutrition.
Discover thyroid basics, symptoms, and common myths that leave many women overlooked. Learn why thyroid health matters.
The thyroid is often called the body’s thermostat. This small butterfly-shaped gland at the base of your neck plays a big role in regulating energy, metabolism, and even how warm or cold you feel day to day. But despite its importance, thyroid concerns often fly under the radar, especially for women over 40.
Many thyroid-related symptoms can be subtle and easy to dismiss. Fatigue, weight gain, and brain fog are often attributed to normal aging, peri-menopause, or stress. However, these same issues can also be hallmark signs of a sluggish thyroid.
Unfortunately, testing often doesn’t tell the full story. “Conventional lab testing typically only includes TSH, which is the thyroid stimulating hormone. But this TSH alone really doesn’t always tell the full story or much of the story,” says Buszko. That means many women end up in what she calls a gray area—still experiencing symptoms but not flagged by traditional tests.
The prevalence is significant. “One in eight women develop a thyroid disorder in their lifetime. And that’s huge,” adds Buszko. Hormonal shifts that happen during perimenopause and menopause can make women particularly susceptible, yet their concerns are too often dismissed.
Understanding how the thyroid functions and where myths or misconceptions persist is the first step toward feeling your best.
What does the thyroid do?
Think of the thyroid as your body’s command center for energy. It releases hormones, mainly T3 and T4, that help control how quickly you burn calories, how efficiently your heart beats, and how well your digestive system functions. When thyroid hormones are in balance, your body runs like a well-tuned engine.
One of the biggest myths is that thyroid hormones only affect metabolism. In reality, they influence nearly every organ system, from brain function and mood to skin health and body temperature. When the thyroid slows down or speeds up, the ripple effects can show up anywhere in the body, and often long before conventional lab tests raise a red flag.
What causes thyroid problems?
Another common myth is that thyroid issues only happen because of genetics. While family history can play a role, many other factors influence thyroid health. Chronic stress, nutrient deficiencies (especially iodine, selenium, and zinc), and environmental toxins can all affect how well the thyroid performs.
Autoimmune conditions such as Hashimoto’s are another frequent cause. In these cases, the immune system mistakenly targets the thyroid, disrupting its ability to make hormones efficiently. For some people, underlying digestive imbalances, chronic inflammation, tired adrenal hormones, or blood sugar swings can further burden the thyroid.
Low Thyroid Symptoms
An underactive thyroid (sometimes called hypothyroidism) can make everyday life feel like wading through quicksand. You might notice slower thinking, unexplained weight gain, thinning hair, or constantly feeling chilled even when everyone else is comfortable.
Other signs include dry skin, constipation, sluggish digestion, and changes in mood or motivation. Many people describe it as feeling “off” but not knowing why. Because these symptoms overlap with perimenopause or stress-related fatigue, they’re often overlooked or dismissed as normal parts of aging.
Overactive Thyroid
On the other end of the spectrum, an overactive thyroid (known as hyperthyroidism) can send the body into overdrive. Instead of feeling sluggish, you might feel anxious, restless, or unable to sleep. Some people experience heart palpitations, increased sweating, and unintentional weight loss.
A common myth is that hyperthyroidism only affects younger people or those with obvious symptoms, but mild cases can fly under the radar too. When the thyroid is producing too much hormone, it can cause your metabolism to run too fast, draining your body’s reserves and leaving you feeling wired yet exhausted.
Common Thyroid Myths
Myth: “Low thyroid is just about fatigue and weight gain.”
Reality: It can also influence fertility, digestion, and mental clarity… areas that are too often missed when only one lab value (TSH) is considered.
Myth: “If my lab results are normal, my thyroid is fine.”
Reality: Standard testing often stops at TSH. For a fuller picture, a complete thyroid panel should include free T3, free T4, reverse T3, and thyroid antibodies.
Myth: “Only older women get thyroid problems.”
Reality: While the risk increases with age and hormonal changes, thyroid imbalances can appear at any stage of life, including after pregnancy or during periods of chronic stress. Men can also be impacted by thyroid imbalances as well.
Myth: “Thyroid issues are only about metabolism.”
Reality: Thyroid hormones influence everything from fertility and digestion to mental clarity and emotional stability.
Myth: “You’ll always feel fine if your thyroid medication dose is correct.”
Reality: Medication alone doesn’t address nutrient gaps, stress load, liver health, infections, or other factors that can affect how your body converts and uses thyroid hormones.
Holistic Thyroid Support
Your thyroid might be small, but its influence is enormous on how the body functions. Learning how it works and separating fact from fiction can help you better understand your body’s signals. Whether your thyroid is running slow, fast, or somewhere in between, paying attention to its cues can make a big difference in how you feel each day.
If you suspect your thyroid may be off balance, connect with a holistic practitioner who can look beyond standard labs and explore the bigger picture of nutrition, stress, and hormone balance.
Ready to learn more? Explore our approach to thyroid health at Ann Arbor Holistic Health by booking your complimentary consultation to get personalized insight into what your thyroid might be telling you.