# Hypothyroidism in Women: Early Signs and Symptoms > Hypothyroidism in women: how to spot the first signs, why fatigue, cold sensitivity and weight gain appear, what tests are needed and Dr. Boris Wydoff's advice. - URL: https://celitel.online/en/blog/gipotireoz-u-zhenshchin/ - Author: Dr. Boris Wydoff — https://celitel.online/en/about/ - Published: 2026-10-15 - Language: en Hypothyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones. Early signs in women are often unnoticeable: constant fatigue, feeling cold, dry skin. If these changes persist, schedule a visit with a doctor and discuss TSH and T4 blood tests. Causes vary, ranging from autoimmune disease to the consequences of thyroid treatment. You cannot determine a diagnosis based on feelings alone. ## Hypothyroidism: What Is It in Simple Terms? The thyroid gland is a small organ located in the front of the neck. It produces hormones that help regulate metabolism and the body's functioning. When there are not enough of these hormones, many processes slow down. Doctors call this condition hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid gland. A woman may not understand what is happening for a long time. Previously, she easily coped with housework, work and walks, but now by midday she feels completely exhausted. Even after a full night's sleep, her energy does not return. Gradually, her usual workload starts to feel excessive. The special thing about hypothyroidism is that symptoms usually develop slowly. Sometimes changes happen so gradually that a woman gets used to how she feels. She blames everything on age, hard work or a lack of rest. Meanwhile, the cause may be linked to hormone production. Hypothyroidism can develop at any age. One of its common causes is Hashimoto's autoimmune disease, which most often starts between the ages of 30 and 50. However, decreased thyroid function also occurs much later. Sometimes it appears after pregnancy or treatment for other thyroid conditions. The good news is that this condition can usually be managed with prescribed treatment. With properly selected therapy, most people can lead their usual lives. The main thing is to find out the cause of the ailment rather than trying to guess the diagnosis on your own. ## What Early Symptoms of Hypothyroidism in Women Are Easy to Miss? One of the most common signs is unusual fatigue. A woman wakes up in the morning and feels as though she hasn't rested at all. Ordinary activities require more effort than before. Sometimes a desire arises to skip meetings, walks and routine tasks. Another characteristic sign is increased sensitivity to cold. Everyone in the room feels comfortable, but the woman wants to put on a warm sweater. Her hands and feet often feel cold. At the same time, the ambient air temperature might be completely normal. The condition of the skin and hair often changes. The skin becomes dry, and a feeling of tightness appears. Hair loses its previous appearance, becomes dry or starts falling out more noticeably. People often try to blame these changes on unsuitable hair care products, although sometimes the cause is inside the body. Bowels can also change their routine. Stools become less frequent, and constipation appears. At the same time, the woman notices weight gain, even though her usual diet has not changed significantly. These manifestations can combine with constant weakness and feeling cold. Memory and mood deserve special attention. It becomes harder to concentrate on a conversation, reading or work. Sometimes you have to reread the same page several times to grasp the meaning. Low mood and depressive symptoms are also possible. In women who still menstruate, periods can change. They become irregular or heavier. Sometimes hoarseness of the voice appears for no obvious reason. Similar changes also occur with a sluggish thyroid function. All of the listed signs are non-specific. This means they also happen in other conditions. Even if a woman finds several symptoms in herself, a diagnosis is not made based on their number. A medical examination is necessary. ## Why Does the Thyroid Gland Start Working More Weakly? When people discuss hypothyroidism, causes are often blamed entirely on a lack of iodine. However, this is far from the only explanation. In countries where the population generally gets enough iodine from food, one of the main causes is considered to be an autoimmune disease — Hashimoto's thyroiditis. In this condition, the immune system attacks the tissues of the body's own thyroid gland. Hashimoto's disease is especially common in women. It frequently starts between the ages of 30 and 50, although it is possible at other times of life. Over time, the gland may lose its ability to produce the required amount of hormones. This is precisely why a doctor inquires about not just symptoms, but also family medical history. Decreased thyroid function can be linked to past thyroiditis. Sometimes it develops after thyroid surgery, radiation therapy in the neck area, or treatment for an overactive thyroid. Certain medications can also affect its performance. Insufficient iodine intake from food is also among the possible causes. But the prevalence of this problem depends on the country and dietary habits. You cannot automatically assume that every woman with fatigue or extra weight has an iodine deficiency. Heredity matters. If close relatives suffered from thyroid diseases, the likelihood of similar disorders may be higher. Therefore, it is useful to tell the doctor about such cases in the family. Especially if relatives were diagnosed with Hashimoto's or another autoimmune disease. The cause of the disease affects further strategy. One woman will need monitoring, while another will need constant hormone replacement therapy. The approach must be chosen after an examination, rather than based on advice from acquaintances with similar complaints. ## How to Distinguish Hypothyroidism from Regular Fatigue and Age-Related Changes? Imagine a 55-year-old woman. In recent months, it has become harder for her to do her usual work, although her daily routine has barely changed. She believes her body is simply aging and sees no reason for a medical checkup. But age by itself does not explain every deterioration in well-being. On the other hand, fatigue by itself proves nothing. Many complaints characteristic of hypothyroidism occur in various conditions. Therefore, doctors evaluate the overall picture, medical history and examination results. No single symptom serves as a reliable home test. During the appointment, the doctor will ask when the changes appeared and how they developed. They may check if relatives had thyroid diseases, if there was a past pregnancy or treatments in the neck area. If necessary, they will examine the neck to check for any enlargement of the gland. The main laboratory indicators are thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroxine (T4). They help assess how the thyroid is working. If necessary, the doctor orders additional tests or refers the patient to an endocrinologist. Sometimes a woman looks for a way to determine the illness based on her morning body temperature or external changes. However, such observations do not replace blood tests. Body temperature depends on various circumstances, and appearance does not allow for a reliable measurement of hormone levels. If test results do not confirm hypothyroidism, it does not mean complaints should be ignored. The doctor can continue searching for another cause of poor well-being. The goal of the examination is to figure out what is really happening and choose suitable help. ## What Can You Eat with Hypothyroidism and How to Organize Daily Life? Diet should remain wholesome and varied. The body needs nutrients for the normal functioning of tissues and organs. However, regular food cannot replace hormones if the thyroid no longer produces them in sufficient quantities. Therefore, your diet and prescribed therapy serve different purposes. The question "what not to eat with hypothyroidism" often arises right after diagnosis. But the mere presence of the disease does not mean a woman needs to independently cut out entire food groups. It is especially undesirable to build a diet around a suspected iodine deficiency that has not yet been proven. Individual dietary restrictions are best discussed with your treating specialist. If you are troubled by weight changes or constant fatigue, tell your doctor about them. These complaints help assess your condition and treatment results. You should not blame every change in body mass exclusively on the thyroid gland. Similar manifestations happen for various reasons. It is also useful to pay attention to how you feel throughout the day. You can write down when unusual weakness appeared, how your sleep, mood and tolerance for daily loads changed. Such notes will come in handy during your consultation. They help describe gradual changes that are hard to recall from memory. With a confirmed illness, diet and daily habits are viewed as additions to medical care. You should not independently change prescribed medications just because you feel better. Even when symptoms decrease, monitoring your hormones remains necessary. ## What Do I Advise Women with Sluggish Thyroid Function? Over years of naturopathic practice, I have come to believe that decreased thyroid function must be viewed in connection with the state of the entire body. I connect the work of this organ not only with metabolism, but also with the state of other endocrine glands. I am especially interested in cases where a woman complains of weakness and weight changes for years. In my approach, I highlight several areas. **First — pay attention to iodine intake through food.** In my books, I link thyroid disorders to a lack of iodine and other trace elements. I especially highlight iodine, selenium and silicon. Among dietary sources of iodine, I name sea fish, seaweed and eggs. I advise boiling fish or steaming it. At the same time, you should not independently take iodine supplements or consume seaweed in large amounts. **Second — take into account the state of the cervical spine and trapezius muscles.** In my practice, there was a case of a woman who suffered for years from pronounced fatigue and other ailments. Upon examination, I discovered severe tension in the trapezius muscles, especially around the seventh cervical vertebra. According to my theory, stress causes muscle spasms, which impair blood circulation to the head and create a vicious cycle of disorders. Therefore, I work on relaxing the neck muscles: in my practice, I use warm baths, compresses and special osteopathic techniques. Manipulations of the cervical vertebrae and massage of the thyroid area should not be performed independently — such procedures must be left to a qualified specialist. **Third — view the work of the thyroid gland together with other endocrine organs.** In my lectures, I connect thyroid hypofunction with disorders of the ovaries and adrenal glands. In my firm belief, endocrine glands are closely interconnected, so the state of one cannot be viewed separately from the rest. This is precisely how I explain why some women simultaneously experience menstrual cycle irregularities, energy changes and other complaints. I believe that during prolonged health issues, one must pay attention to the overall picture of the body's condition. **Fourth — consider the impact of long-term stress and diet on the endocrine system.** In my lectures, I connect the modern lifestyle, constant tension and lack of nutrients with the deterioration of endocrine gland performance. According to my theory, under prolonged stress the body expends more resources, and there may not be enough left to maintain the normal work of endocrine organs. Therefore, I consider it necessary to pay attention not to a single isolated symptom, but to a combination of nutrition, recovery from stress and overall human well-being. My naturopathic approach can complement the treatment prescribed by a doctor. If hypothyroidism is suspected, it is necessary to undergo a medical examination, and if the disease is confirmed, to continue the prescribed therapy. You should not independently cancel medications or replace them with natural remedies. ## How Is Hypothyroidism Treated and What Is Usually Prescribed? When the diagnosis is confirmed, the main treatment is usually replacing the missing thyroid hormone. For this, doctors most frequently prescribe levothyroxine tablets. It replaces the thyroxine that the body cannot produce in the necessary amount. This therapy helps control the manifestations of the disease. Many patients need to take the medication constantly, often for the rest of their lives. This is because the cause of insufficient hormone production may persist. With a properly selected dosage, a person usually returns to their usual activity level. But evaluating treatment based on feelings alone is not enough. The doctor schedules repeat blood tests to check if the dose matches the body's needs. An unsuitable dosage may be accompanied by nausea, diarrhea, headaches or sleep disturbances. If such complaints appear, it is necessary to discuss them with a doctor or pharmacist. Women sometimes ask what to drink for the thyroid gland besides prescribed medications. There is no universal drink or dietary supplement that could replace the missing hormone. If an iodine deficiency is suspected, the need for its correction is determined separately. You should not start taking iodine on your own. Special attention is required during pregnancy and when planning it. A woman with hypothyroidism needs to inform her doctor about this in advance. During pregnancy, additional examinations and a change in the levothyroxine dose may be required. Without treatment, the disease increases the likelihood of serious complications for both mother and child. ## When to See a Doctor **Emergency medical help must be called if a severe, life-threatening complication of hypothyroidism — myxedema coma — is suspected.** This is an extremely rare condition that most often occurs in elderly people with a severe drop in thyroid function. It requires immediate hospital treatment. Do not wait for a scheduled appointment if a person is in a state of severe impairment of consciousness or unconsciousness. In ordinary situations, hypothyroidism develops gradually and does not require emergency help. However, if a decrease in thyroid function is suspected, it is necessary to schedule an appointment with a general practitioner. Especially if changes in well-being have become persistent and interfere with everyday life. The doctor will determine what tests are needed. Reasons for a planned consultation also include menstrual cycle irregularities, noticeable hair loss, poor concentration and long-term low mood. You do not have to wait for all the listed signs to appear. The doctor will evaluate your complaints and decide if TSH and T4 tests are necessary. If hypothyroidism has already been diagnosed, do not skip follow-up checkups. They help verify the correctness of the chosen medication dose. If side effects from treatment occur, inform your doctor rather than changing the medication yourself. A separate situation is pregnancy or preparation for it. If hypothyroidism is already established, it is necessary to contact your treating doctor to review monitoring and therapy. Timely treatment helps reduce the risk of pregnancy complications. Read more about how I work with this topic on the "[Thyroid gland](/health/shchitovidnaya/)" page. ## From the Editorial Board This article was prepared based on the books and lectures of Dr. Boris Wydoff, as well as medical reference books; his views on the connection between muscle spasms, blood circulation and thyroid function are not fully supported by conventional medical data, and body temperature and the disappearance of an iodine spot are not considered reliable diagnostic tests. The material is for informational purposes only and does not replace a doctor's consultation, examination and prescribed treatment. Medical information: [NHS (National Health Service UK)](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/underactive-thyroid-hypothyroidism/). ## FAQ **Q: What are the first symptoms of hypothyroidism in women?** A: Often unusual fatigue, sensitivity to cold and skin changes, but only examinations can confirm the cause. **Q: Can the thyroid gland affect weight?** A: Yes, a lack of its hormones can be accompanied by weight gain, although causes of body mass changes vary. **Q: Why is there a constant desire to sleep with hypothyroidism?** A: Decreased thyroid function can be accompanied by pronounced fatigue, but sleepiness by itself does not confirm the diagnosis. **Q: Can hypothyroidism start after age 50?** A: Yes, the disease also occurs at a mature age, so new persistent complaints should not be automatically blamed on age. **Q: What tests are needed to check the thyroid gland?** A: Usually a doctor starts by testing TSH and T4, and determines the need for other examinations based on the results. **Q: Can hypothyroidism be determined by body temperature?** A: No, low temperature is not a reliable confirmation of the disease and does not replace blood tests. **Q: What to do if TSH is normal, but symptoms remain?** A: Discuss the complaints with a doctor, who will evaluate the examination results and consider other possible causes. **Q: Can one get by with diet alone instead of hormone pills?** A: With a confirmed hormone deficiency, a wholesome diet does not replace the prescribed replacement therapy. _Educational content; it does not replace medical advice._