Medical history (history of illness) represents an important component in the diagnosis of hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).
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?
- Weight gain with poor appetite.
- Feeling cold (freezing)
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Doughy, cool-dry skin especially on the face and hands and feet
- Water retention
- Dry skin
- Reduced sweating
- Do you have any other complaints such as:
- Diffuse hair loss
- Slow pulse
- Shortness of breath
- Hoarse voice
- Hearing loss
- Lack of concentration
- Prolonged menstruation (7-14 days)
- Prolonged cycle intervals (35-90 days) or absence of menstruation longer than 3 months.
- Muscle cramps, stiffness
- Decreased libido
- Confusion
Vegetative history including nutritional history.
- Has there been any change in bowel movements? (constipation)
- Has your body weight changed unintentionally? Please tell us your body weight (in kg) and height (in cm).
- Do you have a balanced diet? (possible explanation for the weight change)
- Are you making sure your iodine intake is adequate? (sea fish, iodized table salt).
Self history including medication history.
- Pre-existing conditions (thyroid disease)
- Radiotherapy
- Operations
- Allergies
Medication history
- Amiodarone (iodine-containing antiarrhythmic drug) → amiodarone-induced hypothyroidism (amiodarone-triggered autoimmune thyroiditis).
- Antibiotics
- Aminosalicylic acid – agents used to treat inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease.
- Atypical neuroleptics (esp. clozapine and quetiapine).
- Bexarotene – retinoid analog approved for the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.
- HCV protease inhibitors (telaprevir).
- Hormones
- Antiestrogens such as aminoglutethimide (aromatase inhibitors).
- Contrast media containing iodine
- Lithium → lithium-induced hypothyroidism
- Thyrostatic drugs (carbimazole)
- Cytokines
- Interferon α
