AMA Criteria for Permanent Impairment Associated with Thyroid Disease

Thyroid disease may cause impairment that can be measured using the AMA criteria.

NOTE: End-organ changes (like ocular changes) may be associated with impairments that may be quantified separately.

Parameters:

(1) requirement for continuous therapy

(2) signs and symptoms

(3) anatomic loss or alteration

Hypothyroidism

Symptoms of hypofunction:

(1) fatigue

(2) weakness

(3) slowing of mental processes

(4) weight gain

(5) decrease in bowel movements

Continuous Therapy	Signs and Symptoms	Impairment of the Whole Person
not required	none	0%
required	none; no evidence of inadequate replacement	0 - 15%
required, but unable to correct totally due to process in another body system	present, or anatomic loss or alteration	16 – 25%

Hyperthyroidism

Symptoms of hyperfunction:

(1) nervousness

(2) eye changes such as exophthalmos

(3) weight loss

(4) palpitations, tachycardia

(5) frequent bowel movements

(6) goiter

Continuous Therapy	Signs and Symptoms	Impairment of the Whole Person
not required	none	0%
required	none	0 - 15%
required, but unable to correct totally due to process in another body system	present, or anatomic loss or alteration	16 – 25%

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