How does one diagnose if one has a thyroid problem?

Question

What are the diagnoses tests used by doctors? Example : Do they carry out a blood test ? or what other tests?

Answer 1

The measurement of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels is often used by doctors as a screening test. Elevated TSH levels can signify an inadequate hormone production, while suppressed levels can point at excessive unregulated production of hormone.
If TSH is abnormal, decreased levels of thyroid hormones T4 and T3 may be present; these may be determined to confirm this.
Autoantibodies may be detected in various disease states (anti-TG, anti-TPO, TSH receptor stimulating antibodies).
There are two cancer markers for thyroid derived cancers. Thyroglobulin (TG) for well differentiated papillary or follcular adenocarcinoma, and the rare medullary thyroid cancer has calcitonin as the marker.
Very infrequently, TBG and transthyretin levels may be abnormal; these are not routinely tested

Answer 2

If you think you have some sort of thyroid condition, you should go to your physician with your concerns. Some doctors may refer you to an endocrinologist, as I was. The doctor will do a blood test, feel around your lower chin/neck to locate your thyroid and feel for any abnormal growths. If your thyroid levels are low or elevated, the doc will generally be able to figure out why based on family history and/or the blood results. Some docs may perform a scan where you drink a radioactive solution and they use the scan to locate your thyroid and anything about it that may be abnormal. Generally the scan is saved for more puzzling cases, so you will probably only have to deal with one or two blood draws. Good luck!

Answer 3

Unfortunately most doctors only do a TSH blood test. This test stops many from getting an early diagnosis. A Free T4, Free T3, and an antibody test should be done alon with the TSH in the morning.

If the doctor feels there may be nodules then he/she may order an ultrasound.

Answer 4

We have what we call the THYROID FUNCTION TESTS, which are laboratory tests performed on blood specimens. This includes Total and Free T3, Total and Free T4, and the TSH tests. If you have hyperthyroidism, all of the above mentioned tests, EXCEPT TSH, will be elevated from the Normal Values . On the other hand if you have hypothyroidism, all of the tests will give decreased values, EXCEPT TSH. So the specific marker would be the TSH test.

Answer 5

I have thyroid, it is slow. I started feeling always tired. I did a simple blood test and found out I have a thyroid problem. Now I am taking thyroxine tablets daily. I should go to a doctor soon. Good luck.

Answer 6

Hyper and hypothyroidism is many times clinically determined by a blood attempt (TSH, FT4, FT3, from time to time thyroglobulin and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies). from time to time docs use a thyroid uptake test (nuclear drugs attempt) to diagnose thyroid issues. Thyroid cancers are many times clinically determined with an ultrasound and biopsy.

Answer 7

Need to check the value of T3,T4,TSH Levels in the blood

Answer 8

simple blood test will be done ie T3, T4, TSH (thyroid stimulating harmone) this test will tell which type of thyroid u have
one is hypothyroid and other is hyperthyroid.

Answer 9

Abnormalities of thyroid function are usually related to production of
too little thyroid hormone (hypo-thyroidism) or production of too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism). Hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid, has many causes. Some of the causes are prior thyroid surgery, exposure to ionizing radiation, chronic inflammation of the thyroid (automimmune thyroiditis), iodine deficiency, lack of enzymes to make thyroid hormone, and various kinds of medication.

Hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid, may also be caused by inflammation of the thyroid, various kinds of medications, and lack of control of thyroid hormone production. One of the most common causes is Graves’ disease. Graves’ disease happens when the body makes proteins that constantly tell the thyroid to make more thyroid hormone.

MEDICAL EVALUATION OF THE THYROID:

HISTORY AND PHYSICAL EXAMINATION

A thyroid evaluation is similar to other medical evaluations – a history is taken and a physical examination of the thyroid is done, and certain laboratory and diagnostic tests may be performed. The doctor then combines all of this information to determine whether the person has thyroid disease, and if so, the appropriate treatment for that person.

A history focuses on symptoms such as heat or cold intolerance; change in weight, appetite, or energy level; rapid heart rate, shakiness, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, hair or skin changes; enlargement of the neck, difficulty with swallowing, breathing, or hoarseness; and vision problems. Since these symptoms are also found in many other medical conditions, they do not necessarily mean a person has a thyroid disorder. In addition, a history of radiation exposure to the head and neck during childhood and other exposures to radiation is obtained.

A standard physical examination of the thyroid gland is done by palpation, i.e., by feeling the thyroid gland with the fingers. This is best done by having the person swallow water as the doctor palpates the gland. The doctor notes the size and texture of the gland, and whether any masses or nodules are present. If nodules are present, the size, texture, and firmness of the nodule is noted.

It is not essential that the doctor have any particular expertise in health physics or knowledge about environmental radiation exposures to conduct an evaluation of thyroid disease. This is because the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid disease is the same regardless of the cause of the thyroid problem. However, it is important that the doctor have experience in thyroid palpation and the evaluation of thyroid disorders.

DIAGNOSTIC TESTS

Laboratory Tests

There are two standard blood tests of thyroid function: the measurement of thyroid hormone, usually T4, and the measurement of thyrotropin (TSH). TSH is a hormone secreted from the pituitary gland in the brain that controls how much thyroid hormone the thyroid makes. Other, more detailed tests can be used, but usually a doctor only needs the two blood tests, along with the history and physical examination, to decide whether the thyroid has normal function and whether a person’s symptoms are likely to be caused by the thyroid.
People who have abnormal blood tests usually have a problem with thyroid function and not a thyroid nodule. Although some people can have both kinds of diseases, most people with nodules have normal thyroid function. In other words, even though they have a thyroid nodule, their thyroid makes normal amounts of thyroid hormone.

Fine Needle Aspiration
Thyroid Nuclear Scan
Thyroid Ultrasound

TREATMENT OF THYROID DISEASE

The treatment of thyroid disease depends on many factors including the type and severity of the thyroid disorder, the age and overall health of the patient, and patient preferences. There are many variations and differences in treating specific thyroid diseases. Since the purpose of this fact sheet is to describe the evaluation and diagnosis of thyroid disease rather than treatment, the following represents only a brief general overview.

The treatment of hyperthyroidism may include observation in very mild cases, treatment with antithyroid drugs, treatment with radioactive I-131, or thyroid surgery. Treatment must be specific for each individual.

The treatment of hypothyroidism is much simpler and usually requires only replacement of thyroid hormone. This can be done with a single daily tablet by mouth and the dose must be adjusted to produce normal thyroid hormone levels in each person.

The treatment of thyroid nodules is more complex. Nodules which are shown or suspected to be thyroid cancer are initially treated with thyroid surgery and perhaps with additional I-131 treatment, depending on the extent of the cancer. In addition, persons are given thyroid hormone to help prevent recurrence of the cancer.

Benign nodules may also be treated with surgery, particularly if they are large and putting pressure on vital structures in the neck. Smaller benign lesions may either be observed with routine thyroid physical examinations or the individual may be given thyroid hormone in an attempt to "rest" the gland and suppress the growth of the nodule. The decision to use thyroid hormone in this setting is more controversial since it has not been shown definitely that such treatment is successful in diminishing the size of benign nodules.

Answer 10

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