How do you test for a thyroid problem?

A TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) blood test is the first-line screen. A high TSH usually points to an underactive thyroid and a low TSH to an overactive one; clinicians may add free T4, free T3, or thyroid antibody tests to find the cause.

Can menopause be mistaken for a thyroid problem?

Yes. Fatigue, weight changes, mood shifts, poor sleep, and palpitations occur in both perimenopause and thyroid disease, which is exactly why a TSH blood test is useful — it can tell them apart.

Thyroid Symptom Check — Underactive vs Overactive

Thyroid symptoms can pull in two directions. Tick what you're noticing to see whether your symptoms lean toward an underactive or overactive thyroid — and why a blood test is the way to know. Educational only.

Thyroid symptom self-check