Thyroid conditions and PCOS frequently overlap, and the symptoms can be nearly identical — making it essential to test for both.

Shared symptoms: • Fatigue • Weight changes • Hair loss • Irregular periods • Mood changes • Difficulty concentrating

People with PCOS have a higher rate of autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto's) than the general population. Some researchers believe the chronic inflammation in PCOS may contribute to thyroid autoimmunity.

Key thyroid labs: • TSH: The screening test. Elevated in hypothyroidism. • Free T4 and Free T3: The actual thyroid hormones. Can be low even when TSH is "normal." • Thyroid antibodies (TPO, TgAb): Detect autoimmune thyroid disease.

Why this matters: If you have both PCOS and hypothyroidism but only one is being treated, you'll continue experiencing symptoms. Thyroid medication can improve energy, mood, weight, and cycle regularity — addressing part of the picture that insulin-sensitising treatments alone won't fix.

Ask your doctor to check thyroid function if it hasn't been tested, especially if fatigue, cold intolerance, or constipation are prominent symptoms.