102: Is It ADHD or Your Hormones? The Thyroid & Perimenopause Connection with Dr. Jolene Brighten

What if the brain fog, forgetfulness, emotional overwhelm, anxiety, or difficulty getting things done isn’t simply stress—or even your thyroid?In this episode of Modern Thyroid &amp; Wellness, McCall McPherson, PA-C sits down with Dr. Jolene Brighten, women’s health expert and bestselling author, to explore the often-overlooked connection between ADHD in women, thyroid function, hormones, perimenopause, inflammation, and brain health.Dr. Brighten explains why so many women reach adulthood without an ADHD diagnosis and why hormonal transitions can suddenly make symptoms that were once manageable feel impossible to ignore.She also explains an important overlap for thyroid patients: hypothyroidism itself can create ADHD-like symptoms, including brain fog, low mental energy, working-memory problems, changes in neurotransmitter function, and difficulty with executive function.In This Episode:Why ADHD in women is often missed or misdiagnosedHow female ADHD can look different from stereotypical hyperactivityAnxiety, depression, and undiagnosed ADHDHow hypothyroidism can mimic ADHD symptomsEmotional dysregulation, time blindness, and executive dysfunctionADHD, Hashimoto’s, PMDD, endometriosis, POTS, histamine issues, and other co-occurring conditionsDr. Brighten’s brain-immune-hormone modelWhy puberty, postpartum, birth control, perimenopause, and postmenopause can change ADHD symptomsEstrogen, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol, insulin, and brain energyWhy perimenopause can make ADHD much harder to manageGut health, sleep, exercise, protein, omega-3s, fiber, and polyphenolsHow to work with your healthcare provider instead of trying to DIY everythingADHD or Hypothyroidism?One of the most important conversations in this episode is the overlap between ADHD and low thyroid function.Dr. Brighten explains that hypothyroidism can affect brain energy, memory, attention, neurotransmitters, and executive function. Her approach is to address hypothyroidism first when it could be contributing to new ADHD-like symptoms.If difficulties with planning, organization, emotional regulation, focus, or executive function persist—especially when similar patterns have existed since childhood—it may be worth investigating another layer.Why Hormones MatterDr. Brighten discusses important hormonal windows when ADHD symptoms may change or become more obvious: puberty, postpartum, the pill, perimenopause, and postmenopause.During perimenopause in particular, shifts in estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol, insulin regulation, mitochondrial function, and brain energy may make brain fog, sleep problems, emotional dysregulation, and executive dysfunction more difficult.📖 AVAILABLE NOW: ADHD and WomenDr. Brighten’s new book, ADHD and Women: A Guide to Optimizing Your Hormones and Thriving with ADHD, is available now.The book explores female ADHD through a hormone-focused lens and includes guidance on gut health, sleep, exercise, nutrition, supplements, hormones, quizzes, and a 14-day reset.👉 https://drbrighten.com/adhd-and-women/📖 Pre-Order Take Back Your Thyroid + Get a Free BonusPre-order McCall McPherson’s new book, Take Back Your Thyroid, and choose one free bonus:🎓 Thyroid Empowered Course — a $399 value OR🩺 $150 off a new patient visit at Modern Thyroid Clinic👉 https://book.modernthyroidclinic.com/Connect with Dr. Jolene BrightenWebsite:https://drbrighten.com/📲 Follow McCall McPherson &amp; Modern Thyroid and Wellness💻 Website: modernthyroidclinic.com🐦 X / Twitter: @thyroidexpert🌐 Host Website: mccallmcpherson.com📺 YouTube: McCall McPherson Channel📘 Facebook:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/McCallMcPhersonPAC/"