Download Screening test for thyroid

Diagnostic Tests for Thyroid Disease
 Problems with energy, mental capacity,
and weight may be due to thyroid
disease.
 The thyroid is a small, yet powerful
gland in the neck that releases
hormones that help regulate many of
the body's functions. One of those
hormones is thyroxine, which is
necessary for the heart, brain, and
other organ systems to function
properly.
 While thyroid disease can lead to a
variety of potentially serious
symptoms, including fatigue, anxiety,
palpitations, forgetfulness, high blood
pressure, and fluctuations in weight,
it’s fairly simple to diagnose.
There are many different causes of thyroid
disease, but they all lead to one of two
issues regarding thyroid function. The
thyroid either produces too much hormone
(hyperthyroidism), or too little
(hypothyroidism). Under normal
circumstances, the pituitary gland in the
brain tells the thyroid how much hormone it
should release. But sometimes infections,
medications, and even the body's own
immune system can interrupt communication
between the pituitary and the thyroid. When
this happens, thyroid function becomes
altered.
 A simple blood test can provide
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important information about several
hormones related to thyroid function,
including:
TSH. Thyroid-stimulating hormone
(TSH)
T4 (thyroxine).
T3 (triiodothyronine)
Thyroid antibody.
 Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is
what the pituitary gland releases to tell
the thyroid when to produce thyroid
hormones. A low level of TSH in the
blood usually means that thyroid
function is excessive
(hyperthyroidism), while a high level of
TSH generally indicates that too little
thyroid hormone is being produced
(hypothyroidism).
 T4 (thyroxine). An excess of T4 in the
blood is indicative of an overactive
thyroid, whereas low levels of T4
indicate underactive thyroid function.
Testing T4 blood levels also helps
doctors pinpoint whether or not thyroid
disease is due to a problem in the
pituitary gland or the thyroid gland
itself.
 T3 (triiodothyronine). T3 is another
important thyroid hormone. T3 levels
can fluctuate quite a bit, but high levels
of T3 are typically due to
hyperthyroidism, while low levels are
caused by hypothyroidism.
 Thyroid antibody. Autoimmune thyroid
diseases (like Hashimoto's thyroiditis
or Graves' disease) cause the immune
system to release proteins called
antibodies that attack the thyroid as if it
were foreign tissue. Blood tests can
reveal the presence of thyroid
antibodies and allow doctors to
diagnose such an autoimmune disease.
 If your blood tests indicate that you
have a thyroid problem, but don't
provide enough information for a clear
diagnosis, you may need additional
thyroid tests.
Thyroid Disease: Other Tests
 Radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU)
 Thyroid scan.
 Ultrasound.
Other tests that can help diagnose thyroid
disease include:
 Radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU). The
thyroid gland uses iodine in the blood to
make thyroid hormones. Swallowing a small,
radioactive iodine pill helps doctors measure
how much iodine your thyroid gland uses. If
the thyroid gland draws upon a lot of the
iodine released by the pill (leading to a high
RAIU reading), hyperthyroidism is probably
the cause. A low RAIU usually reflects an
under active thyroid.
 Thyroid scan. Often used along with
RAIU, a thyroid scan can reveal specific
regions in the thyroid that are using
either too much or too little radioactive
iodine. This scan can help doctors
decide whether a thyroid biopsy is
necessary to confirm the diagnosis.
 Ultrasound. Ultrasound images of the
thyroid can show underlying structural
causes of thyroid disease such as a
tumor or cyst.
 Diagnosing thyroid disease,
determining the cause, and starting
treatment can help prevent serious
health complications like heart disease
and mental health problems. Thyroid
tests are easily done and relatively
painless, usually only requiring a blood
sample or imaging test. Once properly
diagnosed, thyroid disease symptoms
can generally be managed effectively.
 Under normal circumstances, the immune
system, releases proteins called antibodies
that help the body fight off viruses and
bacteria. Sometimes though, an autoimmune
disease can develop, causing the immune
system to go haywire and create antibodies
that attack the body's own organs.
 Hashimoto's disease, or Hashimoto's
thyroiditis, occurs when the immune system
attacks the thyroid gland, causing damage
that prevents the thyroid from producing
enough thyroid hormone. This condition,
called hypothyroidism, results in a number of
symptoms ranging from loss of energy to
weight gain, thinning hair, constipation, and
depressed mood.
 Symptoms of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
Hashimoto's thyroiditis can cause a variety of symptoms, including:
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Unexplained weight gain
Unusual weakness and fatigue
Lack of energy
Depression
Inability to tolerate coldness
Pain in the joints and muscles
Hair loss
Weakened fingernails
Thickened skin
Swelling of the feet, hands, and face
A hoarse voice, problems swallowing, or a tight feeling in the throat
Constipation
Irregular periods
Goiter (swelling of the thyroid gland that causes a lump in the neck)
 Complications and Health Risks
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If left untreated, Hashimoto's thyroiditis can lead to
serious complications and long-term health
problems. Pregnant women need close monitoring
and careful treatment of Hashimoto's disease to
prevent birth defects, including mental retardation
and other health problems.
Untreated Hashimoto's thyroiditis can cause:
An enlarged heart
Heart failure
Myxedema coma, a loss of consciousness caused
by profoundly low thyroid hormone levels
Mental confusion
Infertility or miscarriage
 After you're diagnosed, the disease can
be easily managed with a daily
hormone pill to help keep you
symptom-free.
 Sometimes, the body's defense system,
the immune system, can mistakenly
attack its own organs and tissues as a
result of an autoimmune disorder.
 Graves' disease is a form of
hyperthyroidism, or overactive thyroid.
An abnormal autoimmune response
leads to the release of proteins known
as antibodies, which damage the
thyroid and cause it to produce too
much thyroid hormone. The cause of
Graves' disease is unknown.
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Graves' disease can result in symptoms such as:
Unexplained weight loss, often in spite of an
increase in appetite
Increased sweating and an inability to tolerate heat
Increased heart rate
Feeling weak and tired
Diarrhea or an increase in bowel movements
Irregular periods, lighter periods, or infertility
Insomnia
Excessive swelling in the legs
Shaking or trembling
Irritated, swollen, or bulging eyes
Feeling anxious and nervous
Graves' disease can be treated by several
methods, including:
 Surgery to remove the thyroid gland.
 Radioactive iodine pills.
 Anti-thyroid medications.
 Beta blockers.
 Thyroid Disease: The Role of Iodine
One potential cause of thyroid
problems is getting too much or too
little iodine. The thyroid gland needs
iodine in order to function and produce
the hormones that help regulate the
body. If the thyroid gland doesn't get
enough iodine, hypothyroidism can
result; if there's too much iodine,
iodine-induced hyperthyroidism may
occur.
 Iodine-induced thyroid conditions are the
only thyroid diseases that can truly be
prevented. In the United States,
hypothyroidism due to insufficient iodine is
extremely rare because iodized salt is used
in many foods, which helps ensure that
people get enough iodine through their diet.
Ingesting excess iodine from supplements,
medication, and food (e.g., seaweed) can
lead to iodine-induced hyperthyroidism, so
people at risk for this condition should have
regular thyroid screenings.
 Although iodine-linked thyroid conditions
can be prevented, most thyroid disease
can't be. For people at risk for thyroid
disease, regular screenings and diagnostic
tests are the best methods of getting
thyroid problems under control quickly.