Primary hypothyroidism monitoring

Your MinuteClinic health care provider can discuss your symptoms and health history. They can order lab tests, prescribe medication and follow up with you as needed.

1. You may have to answer a few questions about symptoms to help us prepare for your visit prior to scheduling your appointment.

2. Check-in varies depending on how you scheduled your appointment:

   If you made your appointment online:
   Check in using the email or text message we sent to confirm your appointment. If you prefer to check in using the electronic kiosk, make sure you have your confirmation code.

   If you made your appointment in the clinic:
   Sign in at the electronic kiosk.

   If you made a MinuteClinic Virtual Care® appointment:
   To join your virtual visit, use the link in the email or text message we sent you to confirm your appointment. Please join 15 minutes before your scheduled visit time. You will need your date of birth and ZIP code to join the visit.

3. When it's time for your appointment, a provider will call your name.
4. Your provider will conduct a thorough examination based on your reason for visit, presenting symptoms and health history. Charges will be based on examination and services provided during the visit.
5. At the end of your visit, you are provided with a visit summary, receipt and educational material about your diagnosis. At your request, we can send your primary care provider information about your visit.

The thyroid gland regulates metabolism, a key function for keeping your entire body working properly. Hypothyroidism happens when your thyroid does not produce enough hormones. The “hypo-” in hypothyroidism indicates that your thyroid is underactive, and when this happens, your body's metabolism slows down, affecting the body’s entire system.

• Cold intolerance
• Fatigue (tiredness)
• Inability to think clearly
• Weight gain

The most common cause is an autoimmune disorder known as Hashimoto's thyroiditis (or Hashimoto’s disease). People with this disorder have an immune system that attacks itself. Specifically, their immune system creates antibodies that attack their own thyroid gland. As a result, white blood cells and scar tissue overrun normal, healthy thyroid cells, causing the thyroid to become underactive.

Other causes of hypothyroidism include:

• Hypothyroidism at birth (congenital hypothyroidism)
• Damage caused by medications containing oxcarbazepine, amiodarone or lithium
• Damage to the pituitary gland
• Damage to the thyroid caused by radiation treatments
• Surgical removal of the thyroid gland due to thyroid nodules, Graves' disease or thyroid cancer
• Too little or too much iodine in the body

If you’re receiving hypothyroidism treatment, your provider determines how often you’ll need to be monitored. Typically, you’ll need to be monitored soon after you’re diagnosed and begin treatment. Your provider might want to monitor your hormone levels. They’ll also want to make sure that you're receiving the correct dosage of any medication you’re taking.