Thyroid tests, the basic ones, should be done regularly. If you have symptoms that may indicate thyroid disease, see an endocrinologist. To check if the thyroid is functioning properly, it is sometimes necessary to perform many specialized tests - blood tests, scintigraphy, ultrasound of the thyroid gland and others.

Thyroid testscan help clear up many of your ailments. Why? Because the thyroid, and more precisely the hormones of the thyroid gland, affect metabolism, growth processes, and in the fetus and newborns they determine the proper development of the nervous system, including the central nervous system, i.e. the brain. Diseases of the thyroid gland may result from pituitary or hypothalamic disorders, or from a malfunction of the gland itself. The latter are the most numerous. The thyroid gland can produce too little or too much hormones, which can have very serious consequences for our well-being. What symptoms indicate the need for thyroid tests?

  • Hyperthyroidism , when the thyroid gland works too intensively, it is manifested by excessive nervousness, constantly wet skin, weight loss, accelerated heartbeat, sometimes disturbed its rhythm. You may experience impaired concentration, insomnia, recurrent diarrhea, increased body temperature, and muscle tremors and weakness.
  • HypothyroidismWhen the thyroid produces too little hormones, the first symptoms are not very characteristic: concentration disorders, hearing loss, slowness, forgetfulness. Developed hypothyroidism is manifested by loss of hair, eyelashes, eyebrows, the face becomes flushed, pale. The patient gains weight, has metabolic disorders, often anemia or poorly working kidneys.

Thyroid tests: blood tests

  • TSH, T3 and T4 designation

TSH is a blood sample test for thyrotropin, a hormone in the pituitary gland. The test is very sensitive and reveals even asymptomatic thyroid dysfunction. With hyperfunction of the gland, the level of TSH is low, with hypothyroidism - high. Free hormones are also measured from the blood serum, i.e. T3 (triiodothyronine - produced by the thyroid gland is an active form of thyroid hormones, a hormone that stimulates metabolism) and T4 (thyroxine produced by the thyroid gland). You do not have to do a special jobto prepare. You do not need to be on an empty stomach, but you should not take thyroxine tablets before it.

  • Anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies (aTPO, anti-TPO)

Antibodies against thyroid peroxidase (aTPO, anti-TPO) are used in the diagnosis of autoimmune diseases of the thyroid gland. This test also determines whether a patient can be given drugs such as amiodarone, interferon alpha, and interleukin 2. Anti-TPO antibodies are usually tested at the same time as testing for thyroglobulin.

  • TRAb Anti-Thyroid Antibodies

TRAb antibodies are antibodies against the TSH receptor in the thyroid gland. Their blood tests are performed in the case of suspicion of autoimmune thyroid diseases, especially Graves' disease. TRAb antibodies are also characteristic of a variant of Hashimoto's disease (atrophic AIT), in which blocking the receptor leads to an underactive gland. Testing for TRAb antibodies also helps distinguish Graves' disease from iatrogenic hyperthyroidism or other hyperthyroid conditions such as subacute or postpartum thyroiditis and hyperactive nodular goitre.

  • Anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (aTG, anti-TG)

Antibodies against thyroglobulin (aTG, anti-TG) is a blood test that is performed in the diagnosis of thyroid diseases, with enlargement of the thyroid gland (goiter). They are also used to monitor the treatment of thyroid cancer. Elevated antibody levels may indicate Hashimoto's disease or Graves' disease.

Thyroid scintigraphy

Thyroid scintigraphy is a test during which a radioactive isotope is administered in a capsule or liquid. The thyroid gland absorbs it. If there are nodules in it, the isotope is absorbed unevenly. All the iodine will pick up hot nodules. They are the cause of hyperactivity. Cold lumps do not produce hormones, they do not absorb iodine.

The doctor looks at the gland through a device called a gamma camera. On the monitor, he sees colorful spots that have absorbed radioactive iodine and places that have not absorbed it. In this way, a map of the thyroid gland, or scintigraphy, is created. Testing cannot be done by pregnant and breastfeeding women.

thyroid ultrasound

Thyroid ultrasound examines the thyroid gland with the ultrasound probe that draws an image of its interior on the monitor screen. You can see the size of the gland and whether there are nodules in it. As many as 2mm of lesions can be detected, but it is not possible to tell if they are benign or malignant. The doctor is examining tooincl. lymph nodes in the area of ​​the sternum and mandible.

The test also allows you to assess the echogenicity of the thyroid gland. If the gland is he althy, it is uniform throughout the lobes. When a fragment of the flap has a higher echogenicity, nodules and calcification can be expected, if lower - nodules, cysts or enlarged vessels. You do not need to prepare yourself for the examination.

Chest X-ray in the diagnosis of thyroid diseases

If the ultrasound shows significant enlargement of the thyroid gland, the endocrinologist may order a chest X-ray to see if the gland is growing inward and forming a retrosternal goitre. This test also provides information whether the goiter compresses the trachea and esophagus.

Thyroid biopsy fine needle aspiration (BAC)

Thyroid biopsy is actually a FNAB, i.e. a fine needle aspiration thyroid biopsy under ultrasound guidance. Under ultrasound guidance, the doctor punctures the lump with a thin needle and takes the tissue. It checks under a microscope for cancerous cells in the sample. The procedure does not hurt and does not require anesthesia.

Urine iodine

Urine iodine is used to diagnose goiter. Urine is collected overnight. In the morning, a small part can be analyzed with information about how much there was during the day. An iodine concentration below 50 µg / L indicates a deficiency. The standard is 100 µg / l.

Iodinexposure

Iodine uptake is a test that can tell you how much iodine your thyroid traps from air and food. They are carried out before the planned treatment with radioactive iodine, because in the case of low iodine uptake it would have no effect. The test is simple and safe. The iodine capsule is swallowed and after a few hours the doctor uses a special counter or gamma camera to measure the amount of iodine accumulated in the thyroid gland. This is done again after a day.

Thyroid tests

Thyroid examinations can be divided into two parts - examining the level of hormones produced by the thyroid gland and imaging examinations, the most popular of which is ultrasound. Our expert - endocrinologist Marta Kunkel from Medicover Hospital tells what these thyroid tests look like and what they show.

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