PCOS - Is It a Thyroid Issue? Top 3 Remedies

PCOS can be a painful Thyroid signal

PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) is not only about your ovaries. It’s an endocrine condition that shows up when ovulation is irregular or absent, when androgens (like testosterone) are higher than they should be, or when the ovaries show multiple small follicles on ultrasound. And if you suffer from this you know it impacts not only fertility, but also metabolism, mood, skin, and overall health.

The Most Common PCOS Symptoms I See in Practice:

• Irregular or missing cycles (this is the one most of you come to me with!)

• Acne, chin or upper lip hair (usually black)

• Thinning scalp hair and hair fallout (male-like balding)

• Weight gain that is difficult to shift

• Sugar cravings, energy crashes, or insulin resistance

• Low mood, anxiety, & poor sleep

• And occasionally pelvic pain or bloating

Now, here’s the interesting part.

PCOS is diagnosed by a set of criteria, but clinically, women tend to cluster into functional types.

Most of you will recognize yourself in one (or even two):

• Insulin-resistant PCOS → by far the most common. Think blood sugar swings, carbs cravings, stubborn belly weight, and fasting insulin markers running high (insulin over 10 mcU/mL).

• Adrenal-driven PCOS → higher DHEA-S, lots of stress history, sleep disruption. Your adrenals are running the show.

• Inflammatory PCOS → skin and gut flares, higher CRP, often post-infection triggers.

• Post-pill PCOS → the rebound that can happen after coming off the oral contraceptive pill. Temporary, but very real.

• Thyroid-related PCOS → suboptimal thyroid slowing down ovulation, raising androgens, and throwing all organ functions off.

• Pituitary look-alikes → this is where we need to be careful. Pituitary tumors or high prolactin can look like PCOS but need a different approach. If you have irregular cycles plus galactorrhea (milk-like discharge from the breasts), headaches, or vision changes—get that investigated asap.

Need a blood test recommendation or would like suggestions on which numbers to test for? Hit this link to book a free 15-minute discovery call with me and we will get it sorted!

Ovaries and Thyroid Conenction

The Thyroid–PCOS Connection That Often Gets Missed

Here is something I say very often and if you follow me on socials or have been to a consultation with me, you would have heard me say: your thyroid speaks to every single cell in your body. It dictates how fast your systems work. If it’s sluggish, you’ll feel it everywhere—including in your ovaries. And the research backs this up.

• Insulin resistance worsens when the thyroid is low. Hypothyroidism makes it harder for your muscles and fat cells to respond to insulin, which means more sugar swings, higher triglycerides, and more metabolic risks - insulin resistance. Correcting thyroid function often improves insulin sensitivity.

• Ovarian function depends on thyroid hormones. Follicle development, ovulation, and healthy hormone production all require thyroid input. If the thyroid is off, menstrual cycles will be all over the place.

• Detoxification & hormone clearance slow down when thyroid is under-functioning. That means more circulating androgens, more symptoms like acne or chin hair.

• Pituitary cross-talk is another layer: low thyroid can make the pituitary enlarge (sometimes even looking like a tumor on MRI!) and raise prolactin levels, which suppress ovulation. If there are actual tumors growing in the brain (or any other organ) - proper thyroid function will support detoxification to start reducing those.

• Studies confirm women with PCOS are more likely to have subclinical hypothyroidism or thyroid autoimmunity.

  
  

If cycles are irregular, androgens elevated, or insulin resistance is present, checking thyroid function—and treating it appropriately—can materially improve PCOS outcomes.

Natural Remedies for PCOS

My Three Go-To Natural Remedies For PCOS

Please note these are adjuncts to a comprehensive plan (nutrition, movement, sleep, stress, thyroid assessment/treatment as indicated, and lab tests to tailor the treatment to you). Herbal tinctures should be prescribed by a qualified practitioner. Always consider interactions and contraindications.

Now let’s talk about the natural remedies I use most often alongside diet, lifestyle, and proper testing. These are not magic bullets—but they are evidence-based, gentle, and are super effective when used for the right type of PCOS.

1) Myo-inositol (sometimes with D-chiro-inositol)

This one is backed by strong evidence. It helps insulin sensitivity, reduces androgens, and restores ovulation in many women.

• Best-fit type: Insulin-resistant PCOS (though I also use it for cycle regulation in other types).

• Dosage in studies: 2 g myo-inositol twice daily (total 4 g/day), often combined with a small amount of folate (vitamin B9). Some formulas combine MI with DCI in a 40:1 ratio (2,000 mg MI + 50 mg DCI twice daily).

• Notes: Works beautifully in women with insulin issues. In lean PCOS without insulin resistance, myo-inositol alone is usually better. High doses of DCI can actually reduce egg quality, so balance is key.

2) Nettle (Urtica dioica) — tea or tincture

Nettle is one of my favorite herbs for hyperandrogenic PCOS (think acne, chin hair, high testosterone, male-like hair loss).

• Best-fit type: Hyperandrogenic PCOS, with or without insulin resistance.

• How it works: Nettle contains compounds that help balance androgens, possibly by influencing 5-alpha-reductase and SHBG pathways.

• Dosage: Tea (1–2 tsp dried leaf steeped for 20 min, 1–3 cups/day).

• Notes: Early studies show reductions in testosterone and DHEA-S, but evidence is still developing. Always source nettle carefully and note its diuretic effect.

3) Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) — tea or tincture

Licorice is powerful, especially for adrenal-driven or high-androgen PCOS.

• Best-fit type: Adrenal-driven PCOS (high DHEA-S, stress-driven symptoms) and hyperandrogenic PCOS.

• How it works: Licorice lowers testosterone and modulates adrenal function.

• Dosage: Tea (1–2 tsp root simmered 10–15 min per cup, 1 cup/day in short courses).

• Safety notes: Licorice can raise blood pressure, lower potassium, and interact with medications. Avoid in pregnancy, hypertension, or kidney issues unless closely supervised.

Healthy Habits

What to prioritize alongside supplements

Here are some recommendations that generally improve the outcome of the above:

• Diet: Focus on protein, fiber, colorful fresh plants, and lower glycemic load meals.

• Movement: Resistance training + daily walking for insulin sensitivity - aim for 20-30min per day 5 days per week.

• Sleep & stress: Absolutely key for adrenal-ovarian balance - the sweet spot is 8-9hr of sleep.

• Labs: Always check insulin, glucose, lipids, SHBG, testosterone, DHEA-S, prolactin, and thyroid markers.

• Rule-outs: Never forget to exclude pituitary adenomas if prolactin is high or you are doing all the right things with little improvement.

Let me know in the comments or via email if you would like to know how to access the above remedies of the highest quality, and if these are right for you! And feel free to book a free 15-minute discovery call to discuss your case in more detail.

References

1. International evidence-based guideline for the assessment and management of polycystic ovary syndrome. (2023). Monash University, ESHRE, ASRM.

2. Insulin resistance in hypothyroidism: human metabolic study. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. Oxford Academic.

3. Thyroid hormones and female reproduction: reviews. Biology of Reproduction; Reviews in Endocrinology. Oxford Academic.

4. Effects of thyroid hormones on granulosa cells: human cell data. Endocrine. SpringerLink.

5. Subclinical hypothyroidism and PCOS: systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Frontiers in Endocrinology; BMC Endocrine Disorders.

6. Autoimmune thyroid disease and PCOS: systematic reviews and meta-analyses (mixed findings, including study showing no increase). Endocrine Connections; Frontiers in Endocrinology; Endocrine. SpringerLink.

7. Pituitary hyperplasia from primary hypothyroidism: case reports and reviews (reversible with levothyroxine). American Journal of Medicine; Endocrine Society guidance on hyperprolactinemia.

8. Myo-inositol (± D-chiro-inositol) in PCOS: RCTs and meta-analyses; common 2 g BID dosing; 40:1 combination. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism; Reproductive Biology & Endocrinology.

9. Nettle (Urtica dioica) and androgen markers: emerging RCT and clinical data (early-stage evidence). Europe PMC.

10. Licorice and testosterone reduction: clinical observations. Steroids (2004); The Lancet.