Thyroid Disease Diagnosis Thyroid Symptom Checklist and Neck Check Two Steps Before Seeing Your Doctor for a Thyroid Evaluation By Mary Shomon | Reviewed by Richard N. Fogoros, MD Updated January 29, 2018 Share Pin Email Print Tara Moore/Getty Images More in Thyroid Disease Diagnosis Hypothyroidism Hyperthyroidism Symptoms Causes & Risk Factors Treatment Living With Support & Coping Weight Loss Reproductive Health Related Conditions View All If you are wondering whether you have a thyroid problem, there are two steps you can take prior to making your first doctor's appointment.Let's take a look at these steps more closely, which entail reviewing a thyroid symptom checklist and performing a thyroid neck check.Step One: Review a Symptom ChecklistReview this checklist, mark your symptoms, and then bring this list to your doctor's appointment. Hypothyroidism/Underactive Thyroid SymptomsSymptoms on this list may be signs of hypothyroidism._____ I am gaining weight inappropriately_____ I am unable to lose weight with diet/exercise_____ I am constipated, sometimes severely_____ I have hypothermia/low body temperature (I feel cold when others feel hot)_____ I feel fatigued, exhausted_____ I am feeling run down and sluggish_____ My hair is coarse and dry, breaking, brittle, and/or falling out_____ My skin is coarse, dry, scaly, and/or thick_____ I have a hoarse or gravely voice_____ I have puffiness and swelling around the eyes and face_____ I have pains, aches in joints, hands, and feet_____ I have developed carpal-tunnel syndrome, or it's getting worse_____ I am having irregular menstrual cycles (longer, or heavier, or more frequent)_____ I am having trouble conceiving a baby_____ I feel depressed_____ I feel restless_____ My moods change easily_____ I have feelings of worthlessness_____ I have difficulty concentrating_____ I have more feelings of sadness_____ I seem to be losing interest in normal daily activities_____ I'm more forgetful lately_____ I can't seem to remember things_____ I have a low sex drive_____ I am getting more frequent infections_____ I'm snoring more_____ I have/may have sleep apnea_____ I feel shortness of breath and tightness in the chest_____ I feel the need to yawn to get oxygen_____ My eyes feel gritty and dry_____ My eyes feel sensitive to light_____ My eyes get jumpy/tics in eyes_____ I feel dizzy or have vertigo_____ I have regular headaches_____ I have strange feelings in neck or throat_____ I have tinnitus (ringing in ears)_____ I get recurrent sinus infections_____ I have vertigo_____ I feel some lightheadedness Hyperthyroidism/Overactive Thyroid SymptomsThis list of symptoms points to hyperthyroidism._____ My heart feels like it's skipping a beat, racing, and I feel like I'm having heart palpitations_____ My pulse is unusually fast_____ My pulse, even when resting or in bed, is high_____ My hands are shaking, I'm having hand tremors_____ I feel hot when others feel cold, I am feeling inappropriately hot or overheated_____ I am having increased perspiration_____ I am losing weight inappropriately_____ I am losing weight, but my appetite has increased_____ I feel like I have a lot of nervous energy that I need to burn off_____ I am having diarrhea or loose or more frequent bowel movements_____ I feel nervous or irritable_____ My skin looks or feels thinner_____ My muscles feel weak, particularly the upper arms and thighs_____ I am having difficulty getting to sleep, staying asleep, or going back to sleep after awakening in the middle of the night_____ My hair is coarse and dry, breaking, brittle, falling out_____ My skin is coarse, dry, scaly, thin_____ I have a hoarse voice_____ I have pains, aches in joints, hands, and feet_____ I am having irregular menstrual cycles (shorter, longer, or heavier, or more frequent, or not at all)_____ I am having trouble conceiving a baby_____ I have had one or more miscarriages_____ I feel depressed_____ I feel fatigued, exhausted_____ I feel restless, or anxious_____ I have had panic attacks_____ I've recently been diagnosed as having panic disorder, anxiety disorder, or panic attacks_____ I have puffiness and swelling around the eyes and face_____ My eyes seem to be enlarging or getting more "bug-eyed" looking_____ My eyes are very dry_____ I am having double vision or blurred vision_____ My moods change easily_____ I have feelings of worthlessness_____ I have difficulty concentrating or focusing_____ I have more feelings of sadness_____ I seem to be losing interest in normal daily activities_____ I'm more forgetful lately_____ I can't seem to remember things_____ I have no sex drive, or am having sexual performance problems_____ I am getting more frequent infections, that last longer_____ I feel shortness of breath and tightness in the chest Other Potential Thyroid Symptoms_____ My neck is enlarged, or I have a visible lump or irregularity_____ My neck is sensitive_____ Scarves, ties, turtlenecks and jewelry around my neck are uncomfortable Step Two: Thyroid Neck CheckOne self-check that may detect some thyroid problems is called the “thyroid neck check.” To perform this test, hold a mirror up so that you can see your neck, just below your Adam's apple and above your collarbone. Then, tip your head back, and keeping an eye on this area, take a drink of water and swallow.As you swallow, look at your neck. Watch carefully for any bulges, enlargement, protrusions, or unusual appearances in this area. Repeat this process several times. If you see any bulges, protrusions, lumps or anything unusual, see your doctor for a full evaluation.It's important to note that the thyroid neck check can't rule out the possibility that you have a thyroid condition. It can, however, help you to identify a particularly enlarged thyroid or visible thyroid masses.A Word From VerywellWhether you have symptoms on the checklists and/or notice enlargement or lumps on your "thyroid neck check," your next step should always be to consult with a physician for a proper evaluation and diagnosis. Do not be surprised if your doctor orders other blood tests besides those that evaluate your thyroid function. This is because certain thyroid symptoms may mimic those of other medical conditions.Sources:Bahn, R., Burch, H, Cooper, D, et al. Hyperthyroidism and Other Causes of Thyrotoxicosis: Management Guidelines of the American Thyroid Association and American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. Endocrine Practice. Vol 17 No. 3 May/June 2011.Braverman, L, Cooper D. Werner & Ingbar's The Thyroid, 10th Edition. WLL/Wolters Kluwer; 2012.Garber, J, Cobin R, Gharib, H, et. al. "Clinical Practice Guidelines for Hypothyroidism in Adults: Cosponsored by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and the American Thyroid Association." Endocrine Practice. Vol 18 No. 6 November/December 2012. Continue Reading