thyroid checklist

by Mary J. Shomon
You can use this checklist to bring to your doctor to help aid in
getting a proper diagnosis of hypothyroidism, or as background
information in your discussions regarding finetuning your dosage so you
are at the optimal TSH level for your own level of wellness.

My risk factors for hypothyroidism include:

__X_ I have a family history of thyroid disease
__X_ I have had my thyroid "monitored" in the past to watch for changes
__X_ I had a previous diagnosis of goiters/nodules
__X_ I currently have a goiter
__X_ I was treated for hypothyroidism in the past
__X_ I had post-partum thyroiditis in the past
__X_ I had a temporary thyroiditis in the past
____ I have another autoimmune disease
____ I have had a baby in the past nine months
____ I have a history of miscarriage
____ I have had part/all of my thyroid removed due to cancer
____ I have had part/all of my thyroid removed due to nodules
____ I have had part/all of my thyroid removed due to Graves' Disease/hyperthyroidism
I have had radioactive iodine due to Graves' Disease/hyperthyroidism
____ I have had anti-thyroid drugs due to Graves' Disease/hyperthyroidism

I have the following symptoms of hypothyroidism, as detailed by the
Merck Manual, the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists,
and the Thyroid Foundation of America


__X__ I am gaining weight inappropriately
__X__ I'm unable to lose weight with diet/exercise
__X__ I am constipated, sometimes severely
__X__ I have hypothermia/low body temperature (I feel cold when others feel hot, I need extra sweaters, etc.)
__X__ I feel fatigued, exhausted
__X__ Feeling run down, sluggish, lethargic

__X__ My hair is coarse and dry, breaking, brittle, falling out

__X__ My skin is coarse, dry, scaly, and thick

__X__ I have a hoarse or gravely voice

__X__ I have puffiness and swelling around the eyes and face

__X__ I have pains, aches in joints, hands and feet

____ I have developed carpal-tunnel syndrome, or it's getting worse

____ I am having irregular menstrual cycles (longer, or heavier, or more frequent)

____ I am having trouble conceiving a baby

__X__ I feel depressed

__X__ I feel restless

__X__ My moods change easily

__X__ I have feelings of worthlessness

__X__ I have difficulty concentrating

__X__ I have more feelings of sadness

__X__ I seem to be losing interest in normal daily activities

__X_ I'm more forgetful lately


I also have the following additional symptoms, which have been reported more frequently in people with hypothyroidism:


__X__ My hair is falling out
__X__ I can't seem to remember things

____ I have no sex drive

____ I am getting more frequent infections, that last longer

__X__ I'm snoring more lately

__X__ I have/may have sleep apnea

__X__ I feel shortness of breath and tightness in the chest

____ I feel the need to yawn to get oxygen

____ My eyes feel gritty and dry

__X__ My eyes feel sensitive to light

__X__ My eyes get jumpy/tics in eyes, which makes me dizzy/vertigo and have headaches

__X__ I have strange feelings in neck or throat

____ I have tinnitus (ringing in ears)

____ I get recurrent sinus infections

__X__ I have vertigo

__X__ I feel some lightheadedness

____ I have severe menstrual cramps




I went over this list and found that i have 37-54 on this checklist.  Some have went away many have stayed.  I don't know if those that didn't understand what i was going through and am still going through. If this list helps you understand a little better.  I fight the negative parts of this everyday, i find that i'm starting to have more good days then bad days. I believe this is do in to a large part of me taking my illness into my own hands, understanding it better, and not just sitting back say they know what to do.  I'm looking for a new doctor, need one that understands and listens.  I also am having only positive people in my life, ones that care, but don't over push.  I am a willing person to listen to others advice and ideas, just not good when it is shoved in my face.