Diagnostic Tests for Thyroid DiseaseDiagnostic Tests for Thyroid Disease

Problems with energy, mental capacity, Problems with energy, mental capacity, and weight may be due to thyroid and weight may be due to thyroid disease.disease.

The thyroid is a small, yet powerful The thyroid is a small, yet powerful gland in the neck that releases gland in the neck that releases hormones that help regulate many of hormones that help regulate many of the body's functions. One of those the body's functions. One of those hormones is hormones is thyroxine,thyroxine, which is which is necessary for the heart, brain, and necessary for the heart, brain, and other organ systems to function other organ systems to function properly. properly.

While thyroid disease can lead to a While thyroid disease can lead to a variety of potentially serious variety of potentially serious symptoms, including fatigue, anxiety, symptoms, including fatigue, anxiety, palpitations, forgetfulness, high blood palpitations, forgetfulness, high blood pressure, and fluctuations in weight, pressure, and fluctuations in weight, it’s fairly simple to diagnose. it’s fairly simple to diagnose.

There are many different causes of thyroid There are many different causes of thyroid disease, but they all lead to one of two disease, but they all lead to one of two issues regarding thyroid function. The issues regarding thyroid function. The thyroid either produces too much hormone thyroid either produces too much hormone ((hyperthyroidism),hyperthyroidism), or too little or too little ((hypothyroidismhypothyroidism). Under normal ). Under normal circumstances, the pituitary gland in the circumstances, the pituitary gland in the brain tells the thyroid how much hormone it brain tells the thyroid how much hormone it should release. But sometimes infections, should release. But sometimes infections, medications, and even the body's own medications, and even the body's own immune system can interrupt communication immune system can interrupt communication between the pituitary and the thyroid. When between the pituitary and the thyroid. When this happens, thyroid function becomes this happens, thyroid function becomes altered. altered.

A simple blood test can provide A simple blood test can provide important information about several important information about several hormones related to thyroid function, hormones related to thyroid function, including: including:

TSH. Thyroid-stimulating hormone TSH. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) (TSH)

T4 (thyroxine). T4 (thyroxine). T3 (triiodothyronine) T3 (triiodothyronine) Thyroid antibody. Thyroid antibody.

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is is what the pituitary gland releases to tell what the pituitary gland releases to tell the thyroid when to produce thyroid the thyroid when to produce thyroid hormones. A low level of TSH in the hormones. A low level of TSH in the blood usually means that thyroid blood usually means that thyroid function is excessive function is excessive (hyperthyroidism), while a high level of (hyperthyroidism), while a high level of TSH generally indicates that too little TSH generally indicates that too little thyroid hormone is being produced thyroid hormone is being produced (hypothyroidism). (hypothyroidism).

T4 (thyroxineT4 (thyroxine). An excess of T4 in the ). An excess of T4 in the blood is indicative of an overactive blood is indicative of an overactive thyroid, whereas low levels of T4 thyroid, whereas low levels of T4 indicate underactive thyroid function. indicate underactive thyroid function. Testing T4 blood levels also helps Testing T4 blood levels also helps doctors pinpoint whether or not thyroid doctors pinpoint whether or not thyroid disease is due to a problem in the disease is due to a problem in the pituitary gland or the thyroid gland pituitary gland or the thyroid gland itself. itself.

T3 (triiodothyronineT3 (triiodothyronine). T3 is another ). T3 is another important thyroid hormone. T3 levels important thyroid hormone. T3 levels can fluctuate quite a bit, but high levels can fluctuate quite a bit, but high levels of T3 are typically due to of T3 are typically due to hyperthyroidism, while low levels are hyperthyroidism, while low levels are caused by hypothyroidism. caused by hypothyroidism.

Thyroid antibodyThyroid antibody. Autoimmune thyroid . Autoimmune thyroid diseases (like diseases (like Hashimoto's Hashimoto's thyroiditisthyroiditis or or Graves' diseaseGraves' disease) cause the immune ) cause the immune system to release proteins called system to release proteins called antibodies that attack the thyroid as if it antibodies that attack the thyroid as if it were foreign tissue. Blood tests can were foreign tissue. Blood tests can reveal the presence of thyroid reveal the presence of thyroid antibodies and allow doctors to antibodies and allow doctors to diagnose such an autoimmune disease. diagnose such an autoimmune disease.

If your blood tests indicate that you If your blood tests indicate that you have a thyroid problem, but don't have a thyroid problem, but don't provide enough information for a clear provide enough information for a clear diagnosis, you may need additional diagnosis, you may need additional thyroid tests. thyroid tests.

Thyroid Disease: Other Tests Thyroid Disease: Other Tests Radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU) Radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU) Thyroid scan. Thyroid scan. Ultrasound. Ultrasound.

Other tests that can help diagnose thyroid Other tests that can help diagnose thyroid disease include: disease include:

Radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU).Radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU). The The thyroid gland uses iodine in the blood to thyroid gland uses iodine in the blood to make thyroid hormones. Swallowing a small, make thyroid hormones. Swallowing a small, radioactive iodine pill helps doctors measure radioactive iodine pill helps doctors measure how much iodine your thyroid gland uses. If how much iodine your thyroid gland uses. If the thyroid gland draws upon a lot of the the thyroid gland draws upon a lot of the iodine released by the pill (leading to a high iodine released by the pill (leading to a high RAIU reading), hyperthyroidism is probably RAIU reading), hyperthyroidism is probably the cause. A low RAIU usually reflects an the cause. A low RAIU usually reflects an under active thyroid. under active thyroid.

Thyroid scanThyroid scan. Often used along with . Often used along with RAIU, a thyroid scan can reveal specific RAIU, a thyroid scan can reveal specific regions in the thyroid that are using regions in the thyroid that are using either too much or too little radioactive either too much or too little radioactive iodine. This scan can help doctors iodine. This scan can help doctors decide whether a thyroid biopsy is decide whether a thyroid biopsy is necessary to confirm the diagnosis. necessary to confirm the diagnosis.

UltrasoundUltrasound. Ultrasound images of the . Ultrasound images of the thyroid can show underlying structural thyroid can show underlying structural causes of thyroid disease such as a causes of thyroid disease such as a tumor or cyst. tumor or cyst.

Diagnosing thyroid disease, Diagnosing thyroid disease, determining the cause, and starting determining the cause, and starting treatment can help prevent serious treatment can help prevent serious health complications like heart disease health complications like heart disease and mental health problems. Thyroid and mental health problems. Thyroid tests are easily done and relatively tests are easily done and relatively painless, usually only requiring a blood painless, usually only requiring a blood sample or imaging test. Once properly sample or imaging test. Once properly diagnosed, thyroid disease symptoms diagnosed, thyroid disease symptoms can generally be managed effectively. can generally be managed effectively.

Under normal circumstances, the immune Under normal circumstances, the immune system, releases proteins called antibodies system, releases proteins called antibodies that help the body fight off viruses and that help the body fight off viruses and bacteria. Sometimes though, an bacteria. Sometimes though, an autoimmune diseaseautoimmune disease can develop, causing the can develop, causing the immune system to go haywire and create immune system to go haywire and create antibodies that attack the body's own antibodies that attack the body's own organs. organs.

Hashimoto's disease, or Hashimoto's Hashimoto's disease, or Hashimoto's thyroiditis, occurs when the immune system thyroiditis, occurs when the immune system attacks the thyroid gland, causing damage attacks the thyroid gland, causing damage that prevents the thyroid from producing that prevents the thyroid from producing enough thyroid hormone. This enough thyroid hormone. This conditioncondition, , called hypothyroidism, results in a number of called hypothyroidism, results in a number of symptoms ranging from loss of energy to symptoms ranging from loss of energy to weight gain, thinning hair, constipation, and weight gain, thinning hair, constipation, and depressed mood. depressed mood.

Symptoms of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis Symptoms of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis Hashimoto's thyroiditis can cause a variety of symptoms, including: Hashimoto's thyroiditis can cause a variety of symptoms, including:

Unexplained weight gain Unexplained weight gain Unusual weakness and fatigue Unusual weakness and fatigue Lack of energy Lack of energy Depression Depression Inability to tolerate coldness Inability to tolerate coldness Pain in the joints and muscles Pain in the joints and muscles Hair loss Hair loss Weakened fingernails Weakened fingernails Thickened skin Thickened skin Swelling of the feet, hands, and face Swelling of the feet, hands, and face A hoarse voice, problems swallowing, or a tight feeling in the throat A hoarse voice, problems swallowing, or a tight feeling in the throat Constipation Constipation Irregular periods Irregular periods Goiter (swelling of the thyroid gland that causes a lump in the neck) Goiter (swelling of the thyroid gland that causes a lump in the neck)

Complications and Health Risks Complications and Health Risks If left untreated, Hashimoto's thyroiditis can lead to If left untreated, Hashimoto's thyroiditis can lead to serious complications and long-term health serious complications and long-term health problems. Pregnant women need close monitoring problems. Pregnant women need close monitoring and careful treatment of Hashimoto's disease to and careful treatment of Hashimoto's disease to prevent birth defects, including mental retardation prevent birth defects, including mental retardation and other health problems. and other health problems.

Untreated Hashimoto's thyroiditis can cause: Untreated Hashimoto's thyroiditis can cause: An enlarged heart An enlarged heart Heart failure Heart failure Myxedema coma, a loss of consciousness caused Myxedema coma, a loss of consciousness caused

by profoundly low thyroid hormone levels by profoundly low thyroid hormone levels Mental confusion Mental confusion Infertility or miscarriage Infertility or miscarriage

After you're diagnosed, the disease can After you're diagnosed, the disease can be easily managed with a daily be easily managed with a daily hormone pill to help keep you hormone pill to help keep you symptom-free. symptom-free.

Sometimes, the body's defense system, Sometimes, the body's defense system, the immune system, can mistakenly the immune system, can mistakenly attack its own organs and tissues as a attack its own organs and tissues as a result of an result of an autoimmune disorderautoimmune disorder..

Graves' disease is a form of Graves' disease is a form of hyperthyroidism, or overactive thyroid. hyperthyroidism, or overactive thyroid. An abnormal autoimmune response An abnormal autoimmune response leads to the release of proteins known leads to the release of proteins known as antibodies, which damage the as antibodies, which damage the thyroid and cause it to produce too thyroid and cause it to produce too much thyroid hormone. The cause of much thyroid hormone. The cause of Graves' disease is unknown. Graves' disease is unknown.

Graves' disease can result in symptoms such as: Graves' disease can result in symptoms such as: Unexplained weight loss, often in spite of an Unexplained weight loss, often in spite of an

increase in appetite increase in appetite Increased sweating and an inability to tolerate heat Increased sweating and an inability to tolerate heat Increased heart rate Increased heart rate Feeling weak and tired Feeling weak and tired Diarrhea or an increase in bowel movements Diarrhea or an increase in bowel movements Irregular periods, lighter periods, or infertility Irregular periods, lighter periods, or infertility Insomnia Insomnia Excessive swelling in the legs Excessive swelling in the legs Shaking or trembling Shaking or trembling Irritated, swollen, or bulging eyes Irritated, swollen, or bulging eyes Feeling anxious and nervous Feeling anxious and nervous

Graves' disease can be treated by several Graves' disease can be treated by several methods, including: methods, including:

Surgery to remove the thyroid gland.Surgery to remove the thyroid gland. Radioactive iodine pills.Radioactive iodine pills. Anti-thyroid medications.Anti-thyroid medications. Beta blockers.Beta blockers.

Thyroid Disease: The Role of IodineThyroid Disease: The Role of Iodine One potential cause of thyroid One potential cause of thyroid problems is getting too much or too problems is getting too much or too little iodine. The thyroid gland needs little iodine. The thyroid gland needs iodine in order to function and produce iodine in order to function and produce the hormones that help regulate the the hormones that help regulate the body. If the thyroid gland doesn't get body. If the thyroid gland doesn't get enough iodine, hypothyroidism can enough iodine, hypothyroidism can result; if there's too much iodine, result; if there's too much iodine, iodine-induced hyperthyroidism may iodine-induced hyperthyroidism may occur. occur.

Iodine-induced thyroid conditions are the Iodine-induced thyroid conditions are the only thyroid diseases that can truly be only thyroid diseases that can truly be prevented. In the United States, prevented. In the United States, hypothyroidism due to insufficient iodine is hypothyroidism due to insufficient iodine is extremely rare because iodized salt is used extremely rare because iodized salt is used in many foods, which helps ensure that in many foods, which helps ensure that people get enough iodine through their diet. people get enough iodine through their diet. Ingesting excess iodine from supplements, Ingesting excess iodine from supplements, medication, and food (e.g., seaweed) can medication, and food (e.g., seaweed) can lead to iodine-induced hyperthyroidism, so lead to iodine-induced hyperthyroidism, so people at risk for this condition should have people at risk for this condition should have regular thyroid screenings. regular thyroid screenings.

Although iodine-linked thyroid conditions Although iodine-linked thyroid conditions can be prevented, most thyroid disease can be prevented, most thyroid disease can't be. For people at risk for thyroid can't be. For people at risk for thyroid disease, regular screenings and diagnostic disease, regular screenings and diagnostic tests are the best methods of getting tests are the best methods of getting thyroid problems under control quickly. thyroid problems under control quickly.