Which finding during a health history would indicate a possible thyroid problem?

Which finding during a health history would indicate a possible thyroid problem?

• A. Eats three well-balanced meals a day
• B. Has gained 15 pounds in the last 3 months
• C. Sleeps 8 hours a night
• D. Reports a regular menstrual cycle

Answer: (B)

Thyroid hormones drive your body's baseline energy use. When the thyroid is underactive, metabolism slows and weight gain can occur even if appetite and meals are normal. A health history showing a noticeable weight gain, like gaining 15 pounds in a few months, points to a potential thyroid problem because it reflects a slower metabolic rate. In contrast, eating three well-balanced meals, sleeping eight hours, and having a regular menstrual cycle are not specific clues of thyroid dysfunction; they can occur with or without thyroid issues. (Thyroid problems can sometimes cause menstrual changes, but a regular cycle by itself doesn’t indicate a thyroid problem.)

Thyroid hormones drive your body's baseline energy use. When the thyroid is underactive, metabolism slows and weight gain can occur even if appetite and meals are normal.

A health history showing a noticeable weight gain, like gaining 15 pounds in a few months, points to a potential thyroid problem because it reflects a slower metabolic rate. In contrast, eating three well-balanced meals, sleeping eight hours, and having a regular menstrual cycle are not specific clues of thyroid dysfunction; they can occur with or without thyroid issues. (Thyroid problems can sometimes cause menstrual changes, but a regular cycle by itself doesn’t indicate a thyroid problem.)