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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffYou'll likely start by seeing your family doctor or a general practitioner. You may be referred to a specialist in disorders of hormone function and the endocrine system (endocrinologist).
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Be prepared to answer the following:
- When did you first begin experiencing symptoms?
- Have your symptoms been continuous or occasional?
- What medications — including prescription, over-the-counter drugs and dietary supplements — do you take regularly? What is the dosage of each?
- Have you recently started a new medication?
- Have you recently experienced any stressful life events or change?
- Have you experienced rapid or unintended weight loss? How much have you lost?
- Have you observed any change in your menstrual cycle?
- Have you experienced any sexual dysfunction?
- Are you having trouble sleeping?
- Has anyone in your family had thyroid problems?
References
- Graves' disease. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.endocrine.niddk.nih.gov/pubs/graves/Graves.pdf. Accessed April 19, 2011.
- Brent GA. Clinical practice: Graves' disease. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2008;358(24):2594.
- Bahn RS. Graves' ophthalmopathy. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2010;362:726.
- Bartalena L, et al. Clinical practice: Graves' ophthalmopathy. The New England Journal of Medicine 2009;360:994.
- Davies T, et al. Thyrotoxicosis. In: Kronenberg HM, et al., eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/191205553-3/0/1555/0.html#. Accessed April 20, 2011.
- Thyroid disorders in pregnancy. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/sec18/ch261/ch261q.html. Accessed April 19, 2011.
- Stan MN, et al. Risk factors for development or deterioration of Graves' ophthalmopathy. Thyroid. 2010;20:777.
- Ross DS. Radioiodine therapy for hyperthyroidism. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2011;364:542.
- Hyperthyroidism. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/sec12/ch152/ch152e.html. Accessed April 19, 2011.
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