Is It Perimenopause or Something Else? Dr. Mariza Snyder on Thyroid, Blood Sugar and Stress
Rosie Acosta talks with Dr. Mariza Snyder, a functional practitioner and bestselling author focused on women’s hormonal health, about the early, subtle signs of perimenopause—and why exhaustion, brain fog and weight changes don’t have to be accepted as the price of midlife.
What if exhaustion, brain fog and weight changes aren’t just “part of getting older”?
Many women are told that feeling tired, foggy or unlike themselves is simply the price of admission for midlife. In this episode, Rosie Acosta and Dr. Mariza Snyder question that assumption and explore what those changes may be signaling.
Dr. Snyder, a functional practitioner and bestselling author specializing in women’s hormonal health, explains how the early signs of perimenopause often get dismissed as stress or aging, and why symptoms can overlap with other issues such as thyroid changes, blood sugar and chronic stress.
They discuss why “normal” lab results don’t always match how you feel, how estrogen and progesterone affect mood and brain health, and small, sustainable habits—like short bursts of movement—that can support energy and blood sugar.
The conversation closes with a reminder that you don’t have to suffer to be a woman in midlife, and that self-compassion is one of the most important parts of the transition.
Ideas explored in this conversation
- Early perimenopause signs are often subtle and easy to dismiss as stress or aging.
- Symptoms such as fatigue and brain fog can overlap with thyroid changes, blood sugar issues and chronic stress.
- Lab results described as “normal” don’t always reflect how you feel.
- Estrogen and progesterone affect mood and brain health, not only reproduction.
- Short, consistent bursts of movement can support metabolism and blood sugar without a large time commitment.
- Sustainable habits tend to work better than repeated quick fixes.
- Advocating for yourself matters, especially in short appointments.
- Self-compassion and community help make the transition more bearable.
Is it perimenopause—or something else?
One of the most confusing parts of perimenopause is that many of its symptoms overlap with other conditions. Fatigue, brain fog, weight changes, anxiety and poor sleep can have more than one cause. In this episode, Rosie and Dr. Snyder discuss thyroid changes, blood sugar and stress as factors worth understanding alongside hormonal shifts.
That overlap is exactly why careful evaluation matters. Rather than assuming every symptom is “just hormones” or “just stress,” it can help to look at the whole picture with a qualified healthcare provider—including which tests make sense for you.
When your labs are “normal” but you don’t feel normal
Dr. Snyder speaks to a common frustration: being told bloodwork is normal while you feel anything but. A single test captures one moment in time, and hormone levels can fluctuate significantly during perimenopause. Your symptoms and history still matter.
To make the most of a short appointment, consider bringing:
- A simple log of symptoms and when they started
- Cycle changes and sleep patterns
- Energy, mood and brain fog notes
- Any recent lab results you have
- Your questions, written down in order of priority
Questions you may ask:
- Could these symptoms be related to perimenopause, my thyroid, blood sugar or something else?
- Which tests would help rule other causes in or out?
- How should my results be interpreted alongside my symptoms?
- What are my options if the results are normal but I still feel unwell?
Small habits for energy and balance
Rather than overhauling your life overnight, the conversation focuses on small, consistent changes. Dr. Snyder describes “workout snacks”—short bursts of movement spread through the day—as a practical option for busy women who don’t have time for long gym sessions. She also discusses common nutritional gaps in midlife and the value of sustainable routines over quick fixes.
Before making significant changes to your diet, exercise or supplements, it is worth checking with a healthcare provider, especially if you have existing health conditions.
Timestamps
Explore the conversation
Questions explored in this episode
How do I know if my symptoms are perimenopause or something else?
Many perimenopause symptoms, such as fatigue, brain fog, weight changes and poor sleep, overlap with other issues including thyroid changes, blood sugar problems and chronic stress. A qualified healthcare provider can help evaluate the whole picture and decide which tests make sense.
Can perimenopause symptoms start in your 30s?
In this episode, Dr. Snyder discusses subtle symptoms that can begin in a woman’s 30s. Perimenopause timing varies, and early signs are often dismissed as stress or aging, so it can help to track changes and discuss them with a healthcare provider.
Why are my lab results normal when I still feel unwell?
A single test reflects one moment in time, and hormone levels can fluctuate during perimenopause. Results should be interpreted alongside your symptoms and history, and it is reasonable to ask what other causes or next steps to consider.
What are workout snacks?
Workout snacks are short bursts of movement spread throughout the day. Dr. Snyder describes them as a practical way for busy women to support metabolism and blood sugar without a large time commitment.
How can I advocate for myself in a short appointment?
Bring a brief symptom log, cycle and sleep notes, recent lab results and a prioritized list of questions. Ask what could be causing your symptoms, which tests would help and what your options are if results come back normal.
Who is Dr. Mariza Snyder?
Dr. Mariza Snyder is a functional practitioner and bestselling author who specializes in women’s hormonal health.
You don’t have to suffer to be a woman in midlife.
Rosie offers mental health coaching grounded in mindfulness, self-compassion and practical tools for the emotional side of perimenopause and midlife change. Coaching complements—never replaces—care from your healthcare providers, and is available in English and Spanish.
This page summarizes topics discussed in the episode and is intended for educational purposes. It does not provide medical or mental-health advice, diagnosis or treatment. Seek qualified professional care for persistent, severe or concerning symptoms.