ARE THYROID PROBLEMS CONTRIBUTING TO YOUR HEALTH PROBLEMS?
A SELF-ASSESSMENTTOOL: Score one point for each yes.
Symptoms
Scoring Key
0 to 1 means your thyroid is healthy and you probably don’t need to be
concerned.
2 to 4 means you are at mild risk for thyroid problems.
> 4 means you have a significant risk for thyroid problems.
If you have no symptoms of thyroid problems, it is unlikely (though not
impossible) that you have a problem with your thyroid function. However, if you
score anywhere over 2, I strongly recommend that you get the basic testing for
thyroid function and check your basal body temperature.
Symptoms
- ~Are your skin and fingernails thick?
- ~Do you have dry skin?
- ~Do you have a hoarse voice?
- ~Do you have thinning hair, hair loss, or coarse hair?
- ~Are you sensitive to cold?
- ~Do you have cold hands and feet?
- ~Is your basal body temperature lower than 97.8 degrees first thing in the morning?
- (Underarm basal body thermometers are available at most drug stores.)
- ~Do you have muscle fatigue, pain, or weakness?
- ~Do you have heavy menstrual bleeding, worsening of premenstrual syndrome, other menstrual problems, and/or infertility?
- ~Have you experienced a loss of sex drive (decreased libido)?
- ~Do you have severe menopausal symptoms (such as hot flashes and mood swings)?
- ~Have you experienced fluid retention (swelling of hands and feet)?
- ~Do you experience fatigue?
- ~Do you have low blood pressure and heart rate?
- ~Do you have elevated cholesterol?
- ~Do you have trouble with memory and concentration or brain fog?
- ~Do you wake up tired and have trouble getting out of bed in the morning?
- ~Do you have a loss of or thinning of the outer third of your eyebrows?
- ~Do you have trouble losing weight, or have you experienced recent weight gain?
- ~Do you experience depression and apathy or anxiety?
- ~Do you experience constipation?
- ~Have you been diagnosed with autoimmune disease (e.g., celiac disease, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, lupus, allergies, yeast overgrowth--all of which can affect thyroid function)?
- ~Are you or have you been exposed to radiation treatments?
- ~Are you or have you been exposed to environmental toxins?
- ~Do you have a family history of thyroid problems?
- ~Do you drink chlorinated or fluoridated water?
Scoring Key
0 to 1 means your thyroid is healthy and you probably don’t need to be
concerned.
2 to 4 means you are at mild risk for thyroid problems.
> 4 means you have a significant risk for thyroid problems.
If you have no symptoms of thyroid problems, it is unlikely (though not
impossible) that you have a problem with your thyroid function. However, if you
score anywhere over 2, I strongly recommend that you get the basic testing for
thyroid function and check your basal body temperature.