The thyroid, a small butterfly‑shaped gland in your neck, directs how fast every cell in your body works. It converts food into energy, sets your heart rhythm, and guides temperature control. Too little or too much hormone upsets that rhythm.

Women encounter thyroid trouble far more than men, especially during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause.¹ Hormonal shifts and autoimmune tendencies raise risk. Certain factors—family history, type 1 diabetes, celiac disease, smoking, a low‑iodine diet, and exposure to radiation—push that risk even higher. Spotting early signs lets you seek testing before symptoms drain energy, mood, and health.

Common Thyroid Imbalances

An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)

Production of thyroxine falls. Metabolism slows, and organs function at a reduced capacity. Hashimoto’s disease, an immune attack on thyroid tissue, causes most cases.²

An overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)

Thyroid hormone floods the bloodstream, sending systems into overdrive. Graves’ disease, another immune condition, triggers many instances.³

Signs Your Thyroid May Be Underactive

Persistent fatigue: Sleep no longer refreshes you.
Feeling cold: You reach for sweaters while others feel comfortable.
Weight gain without overeating: A slower metabolic rate stores fuel as fat.
Dry, coarse skin and hair: New cells form slowly, leading to brittle strands.
Constipation: Gut motility drops.
Depression or brain fog: Low hormone levels slow chemical messengers.

Signs Thyroid is Overactive

Rapid heartbeat or pounding pulse
Unexpected weight loss despite steady meals
Heat intolerance with easy sweating
Tremors or anxious feelings
Frequent bowel movements
Thinning hair: Follicles cycle through growth stages too rapidly

Clues Unique to Women

Menstrual shifts: Very light, very heavy, or skipped periods
Trouble conceiving: Thyroid hormone influences ovulation
Pregnancy complications such as miscarriage or pre‑eclampsia
Early or late onset of menopause that mimics hot flashes and mood swings
Hair loss from the outer third of eyebrows: A classic sign of low thyroid

Simple Checks at Home

Neck inspection: Stand before a mirror, tip your head back, sip water, and watch the lower neck as you swallow. A visible bulge warrants evaluation.
Resting pulse: Measure each morning for a week. A pattern above 100 or under 60 beats per minute, without athletic training, can hint at trouble.
Temperature log: Record underarm temperature upon waking for several days. Readings below 36.4 °C may align with sluggish thyroid, whereas values above 37.2 °C might point toward excess hormone.

Keeping a simple symptom diary strengthens these checks. Note daily energy, mood, bowel habits, and menstrual patterns. Patterns that persist for more than six weeks deserve laboratory confirmation.

Medical Tests You Need

TSH (thyroid‑stimulating hormone): The pituitary orders hormone production; abnormal levels often appear first.
Free T4 and Free T3: These reveal actual hormone amounts.
Thyroid antibodies: Anti‑TPO and anti‑TG confirm autoimmune causes.
Ultrasound: Sound waves outline nodules or inflammation.

Ask your clinician for tests if you notice symptoms, have a family history, or plan to become pregnant. Repeat screening every five years after age thirty‑five, sooner with risk factors.

Ways to Support a Healthy Thyroid

Adequate iodine: Use iodized salt in cooking, and include seafood or dairy several times each week.
Selenium‑rich foods: Brazil nuts, sunflower seeds, and eggs help convert T4 to the active T3 form.
Balanced iron and vitamin D: Correct deficiencies through diet or supplements.
Stress management: Deep breathing, yoga, or a brisk walk lowers cortisol, allowing the thyroid to function smoothly.
Regular movement: Moderate exercise steadies metabolism and mood.
Smart supplementation: Discuss kelp, ashwagandha, or L‑tyrosine only after lab confirmation and professional guidance.
Medication adherence: If prescribed levothyroxine or anti‑thyroid drugs, take them on schedule and follow monitoring plans.

When to Seek Immediate Help

Contact a professional without delay if you notice rapid neck swelling, irregular heartbeat, severe mood changes, or sudden weight shifts. These signs may signal a thyroid storm or myxedema crisis, conditions needing urgent care.