Her✺Form
Condition

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism slows everything down: metabolism, mood, gut, hair growth, fertility. Most cases in women are autoimmune (Hashimoto's). Standard testing often misses early disease because TSH is graded against a wide reference range.

Educational information from Her Form — reviewed for accuracy by our health specialists.
Not a substitute for personal medical advice. Optional 1:1 consults with Robyn, our consulting women's-health specialist, are available on request.

Common symptoms

  • •Fatigue, sleeping but not refreshed
  • •Cold hands and feet, low body temperature
  • •Weight gain or inability to lose weight
  • •Brain fog, low mood
  • •Hair thinning, dry skin
  • •Constipation
  • •Heavy or irregular periods
  • •Infertility, miscarriage

What drives it

  • •Hashimoto's autoimmune thyroiditis (most common)
  • •Iodine, selenium or iron deficiency
  • •Postpartum thyroiditis
  • •Stress and chronic dieting

Testing approach

TSH alone is not enough. A full thyroid panel — TSH, free T4, free T3 and TPO antibodies — catches early autoimmune disease and conversion problems that a single TSH always misses.

What to do next

  • ✓Get a full panel including antibodies
  • ✓Replete iron, selenium, vitamin D and B12 if low
  • ✓Discuss replacement (levothyroxine ± T3) with a doctor if indicated

Frequently asked

My TSH is normal but I still feel hypothyroid — why?

A TSH inside the lab range can still be too high for you, and free T3 can be low even with normal TSH and T4. The full panel matters.

Is Hashimoto's reversible?

Autoimmunity rarely fully resolves, but antibody levels often fall substantially with gut, nutrient and stress work — and many women feel dramatically better.

What's the optimal TSH for women?

Most thyroid-aware doctors aim for TSH 1–2 mIU/L in women trying to conceive or symptomatic, even though the lab 'normal' range stretches to 4–5.

Can hypothyroidism cause infertility?

Yes — untreated hypothyroidism disrupts ovulation, raises prolactin, and increases miscarriage risk. It's one of the first things to correct when trying to conceive.

Do I need T3, or is levothyroxine enough?

Most women feel well on levothyroxine (T4) alone. About 10–15% don't convert T4 to T3 efficiently and feel better on a combination — measurable on a full thyroid panel.

What nutrients does my thyroid need?

Selenium, zinc, iron (ferritin), iodine (with caution if Hashimoto's), vitamin D and B12. We test the ones that affect thyroid function and hair.

References

References are provided for educational context only. Her Form is not affiliated with these organisations. Always interpret results with a qualified healthcare professional.

Information on this page is educational — wellness framing, not medical diagnosis. Always interpret results with a doctor who knows your history.