Hashimoto’s, High Estrogen, Cholesterol, and Low Iron: Unraveling the Connection

April 29, 2025

Struggling with Hashimoto’s, high estrogen, rising cholesterol, or low iron? Learn how these issues are connected—and how BodyFix Medical in St. George, UT can help restore balance and energy through personalized thyroid and hormone care.

At BodyFix Medical in St. George, UT, we help patients navigate the complex web of thyroid health—especially those living with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. Hashimoto’s doesn’t just affect the thyroid; it can ripple through your entire system, influencing estrogen levels, cholesterol, and iron stores. Let’s explore how these are connected—and what it means for your health.

What Is Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis?

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease where the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland. Over time, this leads to hypothyroidism, meaning your thyroid struggles to produce enough T3 and T4 hormones.

Common symptoms of Hashimoto’s include:

  • Fatigue
  • Weight gain
  • Brain fog
  • Depression
  • Cold intolerance

But the thyroid doesn’t work in isolation—it influences and is influenced by other hormones and nutrients across the body.

High Estrogen: A Hormonal Ripple Effect

One of the patterns we often see with Hashimoto’s at BodyFix Medical is elevated estrogen, sometimes called estrogen dominance.

Why Does Hashimoto’s Cause High Estrogen?

  • Slowed metabolism: A sluggish thyroid reduces the liver’s ability to break down and eliminate excess estrogen.
  • Hormonal feedback loop: Elevated estrogen levels can further suppress thyroid function, creating a self-perpetuating cycle.

Symptoms of High Estrogen

  • Bloating and water retention
  • Mood swings and irritability
  • Irregular menstrual cycles
  • Fat accumulation around hips and thighs

At BodyFix Medical, we use comprehensive hormone panels to identify estrogen imbalances early, helping patients find answers faster.

Cholesterol and the Thyroid: The Silent Partnership

Your thyroid hormones directly affect cholesterol metabolism. When your thyroid slows down, so does your body’s ability to clear LDL cholesterol.

How Hashimoto’s Impacts Cholesterol

  • Reduced clearance: Hypothyroidism slows the liver’s ability to remove LDL (“bad” cholesterol) from the blood.
  • Fat metabolism disruption: Low T3 and T4 hormones lower your body’s ability to burn fat for energy.

Signs Your Thyroid Might Be Affecting Cholesterol

  • Rising LDL cholesterol
  • Elevated total cholesterol
  • Difficulty losing weight despite diet and exercise

Optimizing thyroid function often helps normalize cholesterol levels—without necessarily needing statins.

Low Iron: The Overlooked Culprit

Another critical piece of the puzzle is low iron levels, which are extremely common in patients with Hashimoto’s.

Why Hashimoto’s Can Cause Iron Deficiency

  • Decreased stomach acid: Hypothyroidism reduces stomach acid production, making iron absorption from food harder.
  • Autoimmune inflammation: Chronic inflammation may impair iron storage and utilization, leading to low ferritin levels.

Symptoms of Low Iron

  • Persistent fatigue
  • Shortness of breath
  • Hair thinning
  • Pale skin

Because the symptoms overlap with hypothyroidism, low iron is often missed—but it’s crucial to test and address.

How It All Ties Together

Think of your body as a symphony. When the thyroid—the conductor—is out of sync, the rest of the orchestra falls apart:

  • High estrogen worsens thyroid sluggishness.
  • High cholesterol reflects slowed metabolism.
  • Low iron deepens fatigue and brain fog.

At BodyFix Medical, we focus on addressing these interrelated issues comprehensively, not piecemeal.

What You Can Do to Feel Better

We take a personalized, root-cause approach to thyroid and hormone health:

Step 1: Comprehensive Testing

We evaluate:

  • Thyroid hormone levels (TSH, Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3)
  • Estrogen and progesterone balance
  • Full lipid panel (cholesterol)
  • Ferritin and iron saturation

Step 2: Tailored Therapy Plans

Depending on your results, options may include:

  • Thyroid support: Natural desiccated thyroid or compounded T3/T4 medications
  • Hormone balancing: Bio-identical estrogen and progesterone therapy
  • Nutrient replenishment: Iron supplementation, B12 injections, or IV nutrition therapy

Step 3: Ongoing, Holistic Care

Led by David McQuivey, PA-C, our team at BodyFix Medical supports you through every step of your healing journey with compassion and science-backed strategies.

Moving Forward: Reclaim Your Energy and Vitality

Living with Hashimoto’s doesn’t have to mean living in a fog of fatigue, weight struggles, and frustration. If you’re noticing signs like high estrogen symptoms, rising cholesterol, or low iron, it’s time to connect the dots.

At BodyFix Medical in St. George, UT, we’re ready to help you restore balance, optimize your thyroid health, and feel vibrant again.
Schedule your consultation today—and take the first step toward reclaiming your energy, your focus, and your life.