Thyroid test can diagnose cause of vague symptoms
The symptoms of a thyroid problem can be vague, such as weight gain and sluggishness, and usually are the result of a slower metabolism. Your physician may recommend a TSH blood test to determine if your thyroid is working the way it should.
THE TEST IS FOR: Patients on lithium or certain heart medications, who may be screened to make sure their thyroid isn’t over- or underproducing hormones. People with cholesterol problems also may need to be screened, and those experiencing weight gain, cold intolerance and fatigue may want to talk to their doctor about being tested. If you are taking other hormones or are critically ill, this test may not be reliable and different tests will be done.
WHY IT’S IMPORTANT: The thyroid converts iodine into thyroid hormones: thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Every cell in the body depends upon thyroid hormones for regulation of their metabolism. Other endocrine disorders such as diabetes, an under-active adrenal gland, under-active parathyroid glands, and other autoimmune disorders can also be related to or are indicators of thyroid problems.
PREPARATION: This is a blood test, so there is no special preparation.
READING THE RESULTS: If the TSH, or thyroid-producing hormone is higher than the reference range, it actually means the thyroid hormone levels are low and the pituitary gland is trying to wake the thyroid up and forcing the production of the hormone. This is known as hypothyroidism. This can usually be treated by taking a synthetic hormone to equalize the levels, said Dennis Ferrer, MD, an endocrinologist at the Backus Diabetes Management Center. Hyperthyroidism may be diagnosed when the TSH is low, which indicates the thyroid is overproducing the hormones T3 and T4 on its own. Beta-blockers or anti-thyroid drugs may be prescribed.
DISEASE DIAGNOSIS: The body normally produces antibodies to foreign substances such as bacteria; however, some people are found to have antibodies against their own thyroid tissue. A condition known as Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis is associated with a high level of these thyroid antibodies in the blood. Whether the antibodies cause the disease or whether the disease causes the antibodies is not known; however, the finding of a high level of thyroid antibodies is strong evidence of this disease. Women are eight times more likely to have this autoimmune disorder than men.
“The most common cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto’s,” Dr Ferrer said. “It is permanent and progressive and can destroy thyroid, so patients need to follow the hormone replacement therapy they are prescribed.”