National Thyroid Awareness Month: Thyroid Testing
Last week, we talked about some red flags of thyroid problems—sudden weight gain or inability to lose fat, fatigue or insomnia, chronic sinusitis or lingering infections, for example. Perhaps you decided it was time to get an expert’s opinion, and if so, your doctor will probably want to perform thyroid testing.
The thyroid works when the pituitary gland releases thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), which tells the thyroid to make thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Too much or too little of one thing can throw the hormonal system—and your body—off balance. To measure if your hormones are balanced, your doctor may prescribe a TSH test, a T4 test, and a T3 test.
Many medications can affect your thyroid test results: amiodarone, often used for an irregular heartbeat; prednisone, often used for arthritis or severe allergies; estrogen, some birth control pills, and even aspirin. Your best bet is to talk to your doctor about how to properly prepare for your tests, because he or she will be able to give you personalized advice, depending on other conditions you may have or medications you are taking.
Typically, if the results of a TSH test are low, but your T4 and T3 tests are high, it could indicate hyperthyroidism, an overactive thyroid, or other medical conditions that require further evaluation. On the other hand, a high TSH test result, with low T4 and T3 test results, could mean hypothyroidism, an underactive thyroid, or other medical conditions that should be investigated further.
Of course, results aren’t always crystal-clear. For some patients, results may fall within the “normal” ranges, but they clearly show outward signs and symptoms that require a more thorough evaluation. Many will require supplementation and optimization of their hormone levels to safely improve their quality of life. If you’re in one of these scenarios, your doctor will probably want to monitor your condition closely, and may retest you in the future.
As always, make sure to talk to your doctor about your specific results, and what they mean for you. If your doctor does diagnose you with either hypo- or hyperthyroidism, the good news is that there are different treatment options.
Check back with us next week for thyroid treatment information!
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CLICK for thyroid testing information from the American Association for Clinical Chemistry.
CLICK for a patient brochure from the American Thyroid Association.
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