What to expect from a GP consultation for hyperthyroidism

The GP may ask about weight change, heat intolerance, sweating, tremor, anxiety, sleep, diarrhoea, menstrual changes, palpitations and eye symptoms. They may ask about thyroid disease in your family, recent illness, pregnancy, and medicines or supplements that contain thyroid hormone or iodine.

They may feel your neck for thyroid enlargement or nodules and check your pulse, blood pressure, hands and eyes. Blood tests commonly assess thyroid hormone levels and thyroid-stimulating hormone. Results help distinguish an overactive thyroid from other causes of similar symptoms and guide referral or treatment.

Take a complete medicine and supplement list, including biotin products, and describe when symptoms began. Mention pregnancy, plans for pregnancy, heart rhythm problems, and any previous thyroid diagnosis. Do not stop prescribed medicine unless your clinician tells you to.

Your GP may arrange repeat blood tests, prescribe treatment, or refer you to an endocrinology service. Keep the follow-up appointment because symptoms and blood results may need review while treatment is adjusted.

Get urgent help for severe or irregular palpitations with fainting, chest pain, marked breathlessness, confusion, or a very high temperature. Sudden worsening with agitation, vomiting or extreme weakness also needs prompt assessment.

Ask which tests are being arranged, when results will be reviewed, whether your medicines or supplements affect testing, and which symptoms should prompt urgent help.