Introduction
As outlined in a previous article, the standard screening test for abnormal thyroid function is thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), but if those results come back within normal range and a person has no known risk factors or obvious symptoms of thyroid disease, no testing of thyroid hormones occurs, and thyroid function is presumed to be normal.
In British Columbia, unless a person is of advanced age, has a family history or personal medical history of thyroid disease or an autoimmune disorder, takes medications such as lithium or amiodarone, or is from a developing country with iodine deficiency, they do not qualify for TSH testing unless they display the specific symptoms listed in Table 1, below.
Diagnostic Checklist Limitations
This approved checklist does not include some of the well-documented symptoms of hypothyroidism, such as non-pitting edema of the lower legs and ankles, a puffy, swollen face, enlarged tongue with or without scalloped edges, loss of the outer third of eyebrows, or having pale or bluish lips. The downloadable checklist below contains a list of these and other common symptoms.
Signs and Symptoms of Hypothyroidism – downloadable checklist
This downloadable checklist of common hypothyroid symptoms is not intended for self-diagnosis. It is provided to help people who feel unwell to have an informed discussion with their doctor as to whether thyroid hormone testing should be considered.
Signs and Symptoms of Hypothyroidism – downloadable and fillable checklist (References in this previous article )
Clinical Support for Hypothyroidism
As a Dietitian who is knowledgeable about hypothyroidism, I support adults who have been diagnosed as well as those who suspect they may be hypothyroid based on family history and symptoms.
As you can read about under the About Me tab, I will advocate for clients who have symptoms that may be consistent with hypothyroidism or subclinical hypothyroidism so that they can obtain adequate testing to either rule out a diagnosis or enable a doctor to make one. You can view my Hypothyroid Management Package here.
To your good health!
Joy
You can follow me on:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jyerdile
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BetterByDesignNutrition/
References
- BC Guidelines & Protocols Advisory Committee. Thyroid Function Testing in the Diagnosis and Monitoring of Thyroid Function Disorder. Victoria (BC): Ministry of Health; 2018 Oct 24. Available from: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/practitioner-professional-resources/bc-guidelines/thyroid-function-testing
© 2025 BetterByDesign Nutrition Ltd. All rights reserved.
Joy Erdile is the Registered Dietitian at BetterByDesign Nutrition Ltd., and has been supporting clients’ nutritional needs since 2008. Joy has a post graduate degree in Human Nutirion, more than 17 years of experience in private practice, and is a published in mental health nutrition. She is licensed in BC, Alberta, and Ontario, and her areas of expertise range from routine to clinically complex cases. Joy is passionate about helping people feel better and restore their health, and believes that there is no one-size-fits-all approach, but that Nutrition is BetterByDesign©.