Is FT4 useful for Wechseljahre?

FT4 (free thyroxine) is of limited standalone utility for menopause (Wechseljahre). Thyroid function often changes during perimenopause and menopause, and symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, and mood swings can overlap with hypothyroidism. However, FT4 alone is not a reliable screening test; TSH is the first-line marker. FT4 is only informative when TSH is abnormal. Moreover, estrogen fluctuations can alter thyroid-binding globulin, complicating interpretation. Without specific thyroid symptoms or risk factors, a single FT4 test adds little. Evidence: human-moderate (observational studies, clinical guidelines). Caveat: Do not self-diagnose; consult a clinician for a full thyroid panel (TSH, FT4, antibodies) and consider menopausal hormone changes.