Medical history (history of illness) represents an important component in the diagnosis of latent (subclinical) hypothyroidism (hypothyroidism).
Family history
- Is there a frequent history of thyroid disease in your family?
- Are there any hereditary diseases in your family?
Social anamnesis
Current medical history/systemic medical history (somatic and psychological complaints).
- What symptoms have you noticed?
- Depressive symptoms
- Memory disorders
- Hoarseness
- Cold intolerance, i.e. do you freeze easily?
- Fatigue
- Muscle cramps
- Muscular weakness
- Doughy, cool-dry skin especially on the face and hands and feet
- Swelling of the eyes
- Dry skin
- Do you have any other complaints, if any? (eg slow pulse)
Vegetative anamnesis incl. nutritional anamnesis.
- Has there been any change in bowel movements?
- Has your body weight changed unintentionally? Please tell us your body weight (in kg) and height (in cm).
- Do you smoke? If yes, how many cigarettes, cigars or pipes per day?
Self history including medication history.
- Pre-existing conditions (thyroid disease)
- Radiotherapy
- Operations
- Allergies
Medication history
- Aminosalicylic acid – agent used to treat inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease.
- Amiodarone – antiarrhythmic agent (agent against cardiac arrhythmias).
- Antiestrogens such as aminoglutethimide (aromatase inhibitors) – drugs that inhibit the action of female sex hormones.
- Bexarotene – drug against cancer
- Lithium – drug for the therapy of mental illnesses
- Thyrostatic drugs – drugs for the treatment of hyperthyroidism such as carbimazole.
- Cytokines – drugs used to treat viral inflammation; example is interferon α
