Thyroid disease screening

Your MinuteClinic provider can discuss your health history and symptoms. If necessary, they can order lab tests and develop a treatment plan.

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 the 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 will be provided with a visit summary, a receipt and educational material about your diagnosis. At your request, we can send your primary care provider information about your visit.

Hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid, occurs when the thyroid gland doesn't make enough thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). It can happen at all ages.

Common causes of hypothyroidism include health conditions such as Hashimoto's disease and thyroiditis. Medical treatments, such as thyroid surgery, radiation and certain medications, can also cause hypothyroidism.

Health care providers usually use blood tests to diagnose this condition. Results that show high TSH and low thyroxine (T4) may mean you have hypothyroidism.

When treated with medication, symptoms may go away within several weeks. Early treatment can help prevent complications, including heart disease, infertility and goiters.

If you have hypothyroidism you may experience:

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

Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland makes too many hormones. It's also called overactive thyroid.

People with hyperthyroidism may have low TSH and high T4. Health care providers usually diagnose hyperthyroidism by using blood tests. After a diagnosis, providers may use scans and ultrasounds to pinpoint root causes.

Treatment for hyperthyroidism often includes medication. In rare cases, providers may recommend thyroid removal surgery. If hyperthyroidism isn't treated, it can cause heart or eye problems. Other complications can include Graves’ disease and fertility issues.

If you’re experiencing hyperthyroidism, you may notice

• Extreme anxiety
• Heat intolerance
• Weight loss

The pituitary gland makes thyroid-stimulating hormone. It tells the thyroid gland to make thyroid hormones.

The amount of TSH in your body can show how well your thyroid works. If you have symptoms of thyroid disease, your primary care provider may run a TSH blood test. Low TSH levels can mean the thyroid is making more thyroid hormones than your body needs. High TSH levels may mean the thyroid isn't making enough.

A blood sample will be taken and sent to a lab to check your thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and T3 and T4 levels as clinically appropriate. A provider may also physically check your neck for a thyroid goiter.