What Are Early Warning Signs of Thyroid
Problems in Women?

Written by Kathleen Morrison
Medically Reviewed by Andrea Sleeth WHNP-BC, MSCP

Key takeaways:

• Your thyroid might be small, but it impacts energy, metabolism, hair, skin, mood, and even your periods—early signs are often subtle.
• Hypothyroidism can cause fatigue, unexplained weight gain, feeling cold, dry skin, brittle nails, hair thinning, and heavier periods.
• Hyperthyroidism can make your heart race, cause weight loss, heat intolerance, sweating, anxiety, and lighter or irregular periods.
• Mental and emotional changes like brain fog, trouble concentrating, low mood, or feeling on edge can be thyroid-related.
• Early testing is key—if you notice persistent symptoms or a combination of changes, a simple TSH and free T4 panel can help you catch issues and get treatment sooner.

Your thyroid might be small, but it has a big job—keeping your energy, metabolism, and overall balance in check. When it’s a little out of sync, the first signs can be subtle—but worth noticing.

For women, early hints often include things like unexplained weight changes, feeling drained even after rest, periods that don’t follow their usual rhythm, and hair that feels thinner or starts shedding. Your mood might shift too, with extra anxiety, low mood, or trouble concentrating. Some people notice changes in temperature, skin dryness or puffiness, or achy muscles and joints. Because these signs can creep in slowly, it’s easy to write them off as stress or just a busy life.

Spotting these hints early can help give you a head start. Simple check-ins with your provider and a simple at-home blood test can help you understand what’s going on—so you can feel like yourself again, sooner rather than later.

Your thyroid 101

Sitting right at the front of your neck, just below your Adam’s apple, your butterfly-shaped gland quietly helps keep almost everything in your body running smoothly.

It might only weigh an ounce or so, but the hormones it makes reach every organ and tissue, basically acting like your body’s command center.

Your thyroid gland mainly makes two hormones, T3 and T4. Your brain checks in with it through TSH, like a thermostat, telling your thyroid how much hormone to release. These hormones set the pace for your metabolism—think of them as the speed dial for your whole body. When they’re balanced, your heart, digestion, and temperature should feel just right.

Thyroid hormones also influence your hair growth, energy, muscles, and even cholesterol levels. Women’s reproductive systems are especially tuned in, which is why shifts in your cycle can sometimes hint at thyroid changes. Knowing this can help you catch small signals early and take charge of your health.

Symptoms of hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism happens when your thyroid isn’t making enough hormones, slowing down your body’s systems. Women are more likely to experience it—especially during pregnancy or after menopause. The symptoms usually creep in slowly, and they can look different for everyone, but some patterns pop up again and again.

1. Feeling tired and fatigued all the time

That deep, bone-crushing fatigue that sleep can’t fix? It’s a classic and very common symptom is an underactive thyroid. You might need afternoon naps, struggle to get out of bed even after 10 hours of sleep, or feel like you’re moving through molasses. Simple daily tasks suddenly feel huge. Your cells need thyroid hormones to make energy, and without enough, it’s like your internal battery is stuck at 20%, no matter how much rest you get.

2. Unexpected weight changes

Gaining pounds even though your diet hasn’t changed is another hint. A slower metabolism burns fewer calories, so your body holds onto weight, often around your midsection. Some women notice puffiness in their face or around the eyes in the morning. Even with exercise, the scale might creep up, which can be super frustrating.

3. Feeling cold for no reason

Always reaching for extra layers while everyone else is comfy? Your thyroid might be nudging your thermostat down. Hypothyroidism slows heat production, so your hands and feet stay chilly, blankets feel essential, and even a hot shower might not warm you up. Some women find their body temperature consistently runs below 98.6°F, making winters—or even daily life—feel extra frosty.

Symptoms of hyperthyroidism

On the other hand, hyperthyroidism is your thyroid hitting the fast-forward button. When it pumps out too many hormones, your body speeds up, and the signs are often the opposite of hypothyroidism. Women usually notice shifts in energy, heart rate, and body temperature that feel… Well, intense compared with normal ups and downs.

1. A racing heart

You might feel your heart pounding even when you’re sitting still. Some women notice it jumping while climbing a single flight of stairs, or palpitations that wake them at night. It can feel unnerving, like your body’s stuck on high alert. Keeping track of your heart rate and sharing what you notice with your provider can make a big difference in understanding what’s going on.

2. Losing weight without trying

Dropping pounds might sound nice, but if it’s coming from an overactive thyroid, it’s a sign your metabolism is turbocharged. You could find yourself eating more than usual—even midnight snacks—and still losing weight. Your body is burning energy fast, which can feel exhausting over time.

3. Feeling too hot and sweating a lot

If you’re always too warm or constantly sweating when others are comfortable, your thyroid could be behind it. Night sweats, feeling like you have a low-grade fever, or needing the AC on high might become the new normal. These symptoms can really affect sleep and daily life, so paying attention and talking to your provider can help you get a handle on it.

Physical signs of thyroid problems

Your body often gives you little clues when your thyroid is out of balance. These signs usually creep in slowly, but paying attention can help you spot a pattern. If you notice multiple changes alongside other symptoms, a simple blood test can give you clarity.

Hair loss and thinning

Noticing extra hair in the shower drain or on your pillow isn’t just annoying—it can be a thyroid clue. Hormone shifts can make your hair thinner across your scalp, change its texture, and leave it dry or brittle.

Some women even see the outer third of their eyebrows thin out. Unlike typical patchy hair loss, thyroid-related changes usually affect your whole head.

The good news? Once your hormone levels get back on track, your hair generally bounces back, though it can take a few months.

Dry skin and fragile nails

If your skin feels dry, rough, or itchy no matter how much lotion you use, your thyroid might be nudging things off balance. Shins often get extra dry or scaly, and nails can become brittle, ridged, or slow-growing. These changes happen because thyroid hormones influence how your cells renew and build protein.

Changes in your menstrual cycle

Your period can be one of the first ways your thyroid shows it’s acting up. Low thyroid activity often brings heavier, longer, or more frequent periods, while an overactive thyroid can make them lighter or less regular—or sometimes skip them altogether.

Fertility challenges, like difficulty conceiving or keeping a pregnancy, can also show up when thyroid hormones are off. Noticing these shifts gives you the chance to take action and get answers.

Mental and emotional signs

Your thyroid isn’t just about your body—it’s deeply connected to your brain and mood. Hormones from your thyroid influence how your brain communicates, which is why mood and cognitive changes often pop up before physical symptoms. Many women notice that once their thyroid is balanced, mental health symptoms they’d been struggling with for years start to ease.

Brain fog and memory slips

Can’t remember where you put your keys again? Forgetting words mid-sentence? Brain fog from thyroid issues can make it feel like your thoughts are moving through molasses.

Concentration is tricky, reading the same paragraph multiple times without really absorbing it, or walking into a room and forgetting why. Work, hobbies, and everyday tasks can suddenly feel extra hard.

Many women worry it’s “serious brain stuff,” but it’s often just your thyroid needing attention.

Feeling down

Depression linked to low thyroid activity is heavy and persistent. It’s not just sadness—it’s losing interest in things you love, feeling hopeless, and lacking motivation for basic self-care. Fatigue makes it even harder to break the cycle.

But often, treating your thyroid can help lift the mood and energy that’s been holding you back.

Feeling on edge

An overactive thyroid can make you feel jittery, wired, or anxious—like you’ve had way too much coffee when you haven’t. Racing thoughts, irritability, panic feelings, or trouble relaxing can take over.

Often, sleep suffers, too, which only fuels the anxiety. Feeling wound up isn’t “all in your head”—it’s your thyroid sending your nervous system into overdrive. Getting your hormone levels balanced can bring back calm, clarity, and a sense of control.

When do you need a thyroid function test?

Knowing when to check your thyroid can help you catch issues earlier and take charge of your health. Don’t wait until symptoms feel overwhelming. If you notice two or more persistent signs for several weeks, it’s worth doing a home thyroid check and asking your provider about a thyroid panel, including TSH and free T4 tests, if anything feels amiss.

Some things that are worth getting checked include:

• Brain fog, trouble concentrating, or memory slips
• Mood swings, anxiety, or persistent low mood
• Fatigue that doesn’t go away with rest
• Thinning hair, brittle nails, or changes in your skin
• Periods that suddenly change in flow or frequency
• A new lump, swelling, or hoarseness in your neck

Persistent symptoms like fatigue paired with weight changes, feeling unusually hot or cold along with mood shifts, or hair loss with irregular periods are especially worth checking out.

A family history of thyroid issues is another reason to get tested, even if your symptoms feel mild.

TSH shows how hard your brain is working to signal your thyroid. High TSH usually points to an underactive thyroid, while low TSH hints at an overactive one. Free T4 tells you how much hormone is available for your body to use.

Together, they give a clear snapshot of thyroid function, so a thyroid panel can really help you and your provider figure out what’s going on and what steps to take next.

Listen to your body, check your thyroid

Your body talks to you—and when it comes to thyroid issues, those early whispers are worth paying attention to.

Unexplained weight shifts, fatigue that won’t quit, mood swings, or changes in your cycle are all your body saying, “Hey, check me out.” These aren’t just random annoyances or “getting older” moments—they’re often early warning signs of thyroid issues.

Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can impact your energy, heart, metabolism, moods, and even your reproductive health.

But luckily, thyroid disorders are very treatable once you know what’s going on. A simple blood test measuring thyroid hormone levels like TSH and T4 can give you the answers you need, whether it’s hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, or something like Hashimoto’s.

Don’t wait until symptoms pile up. If you’re spotting a few warning signs—or have a family history of thyroid issues—take action now. With Wisp, you can order an at-home thyroid blood test and get results quickly, giving you the clarity to start feeling like yourself again on your terms.

This blog post is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be taken as professional advice. Always consult with a qualified professional before making any decisions based on the information provided here.