Is your thyroid the missing piece behind weight gain and fatigue?

If you’re a woman over 40 struggling with stubborn weight gain, especially around the middle, persistent fatigue, brain fog, or mood swings, even though you’re eating well and staying active, it might not be your willpower or lifestyle the fault.

We often think the answer is to simply eat less and move more, but this approach can sometimes do more harm than good. When hormones, including your thyroid, aren’t balanced, restricting calories and over-exercising can slow down your metabolism further and worsen symptoms.

Often, the real issue lies with your thyroid and hormonal balance, which can slow your metabolism and disrupt your body’s natural ability to regulate weight and energy as you age.

This article explains why your thyroid matters, why standard testing can miss key problems, and what you can do to support your metabolism and feel like yourself again.

What is the thyroid, and why does it matter?

Your thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland in your neck that produces hormones (T4 and T3) regulating how your body uses energy, controls how well you lose weight, your mood and controls your metabolism. 

T4 is your inactive hormone and needs to be converted to T3, the active hormone that “switches on” your metabolism.

When this process is disrupted, everything slows down, including your ability to burn fat and maintain energy.

Signs of low thyroid function to watch for

Many women don’t realise they have low thyroid function because symptoms can be vague, and this can look like peri(menopause) symptoms, such as: 

• low energy 
• weight gain or difficulty losing weight
• brain fog and poor concentration
• feeling cold, especially in the hands and feet
• dry skin and thinning hair
• constipation 
• low mood or anxiety
• irregular or heavy periods

If this sounds familiar, your thyroid health deserves a closer look.

Why standard thyroid testing isn’t enough

Most doctors test only TSH (and sometimes T4). If these are “normal,” you’re told all is well. But:

• You might have poor conversion from T4 to T3 ( your active hormone).
• Autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s) may be missed.
• Nutrient deficiencies can impair thyroid function and the conversion from T4 to T3
  This means you might still feel unwell despite “normal” test results.

Nutrients your thyroid needs to thrive

For your thyroid to work well, you need enough:

• Iron stored in the body (Ferritin ) – low levels are a common hidden cause of thyroid issues.
• Selenium and Zinc – essential for the conversion of T4 into T3.
• B Vitamins – support energy.

Without these nutrients, thyroid symptoms can persist, as the issue is not solved at the root cause, but also looking at the cortisol as stress can give a break to the conversion of T3.

Comprehensive testing for a clearer picture

If you’re struggling despite normal TSH, you must consider tests that include:

• free T3 & Free T4
• reverse T3 (can block metabolism)
• thyroid antibodies (to detect Hashimoto)
• nutrient levels like ferritin, selenium, zinc, and B12

These can uncover underlying issues affecting your weight, energy, and mood.

How to support your thyroid holistically

Taking care of your thyroid is about more than medication:

• Eat nutrient-dense foods rich in selenium, zinc, and iron.
• Support gut and liver health for better hormone balance.
• Manage stress to reduce hormone disruption.
• Follow a weight-loss plan designed for your hormones and metabolism.

Are you ready to take control of your thyroid and metabolism?

If you’re tired of being told “everything looks normal” but don’t feel normal, you’re not alone. Reach out to a nutritional professional to start your journey.