How to determine thyroid disease

One of the main aspects of the definition of thyroid disease - a medical examination, which is conducted under the following procedures:

• palpation of the neck
• listening stethoscope
• check reflexes
• measurement of heart rate, heart rhythm and blood pressure
• measuring the weight and body temperature
• eye examination
• Assessment of hair, skin, nails

Blood test

For certain diseases of the thyroid gland is performed a number of blood tests, including:

• a blood test for thyroid (thyroid-stimulating) hormone
• blood tests for the hormone thyroxine
• a blood test for a hormone triiodothyronine
• a blood test for thyroglobulin (thyroxine-binding globulin)
• Test triiodothyronine resin uptake
• Analysis for antithyroid peroxidase antibodies
• analysis antimikrosomnye antibodies
• analysis on antibodies to thyroglobulin
• Analysis for thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin

Computer diagnosis of thyroid disease

Some of the most common methods of diagnosis of thyroid disease include:

• Nuclear scans - a technique to determine the presence of Graves' disease, thyroiditis and toxic multinodular goiter.
• CT scan - helps identify and diagnose thyroid goiter or large assemblies.
• Magnetic resonance imaging - is needed to determine the size and shape of the thyroid gland.
• Ultrasound examination - is to identify and assess thyroid nodes, swelling and enlargement of the thyroid Increase in thyroid - that underlies the disease .

Suction biopsy

Needle biopsy or fine-needle aspiration biopsy is used to diagnose tumors in the tissues of the thyroid gland. The procedure involves the introduction of thyroid fine needle assembly, fence tissue samples and subsequent analysis under a microscope. Sometimes, to increase the accuracy of the procedure applied ultrasound. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy to diagnose thyroid cancer Thyroid cancer: it is curable   seventy-five percent of cases. Furthermore, this procedure allows to define other thyroid diseases - such as autoimmune thyroiditis Autoimmune thyroiditis - thyroid disease   or the so-called Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

Other methods of determining thyroid disease

In addition to the most common methods of diagnostics, medical practitioners and other methods for the determination of thyroid dysfunction. Although most of these methods is contrary to the order of the diagnosis of thyroid diseases, adopted in the medical community, in alternative and holistic medicine they are used quite frequently.

Among these methods:

• Skin test for iodine
• Analysis of saliva
• Urine
• Measurement of basal temperature Basal temperature - try to move less   body

Tests for diseases of the thyroid gland

Tests designed to determine the level of activity of the thyroid gland and diagnose thyroid disease, have now become very common. One of the most effective tests for diseases of the thyroid gland is considered a blood test that determines blood levels of thyroid hormones Thyroid hormones: mechanism of action and physiological effects .

Symptoms

Thyroid disorders caused by elevated or, conversely, the lack of activity of the thyroid gland, often accompanied by distinct symptoms. However, in some cases, the initial diagnosis helps to put a normal examination and analysis of the patient's medical history. For hypothyroidism (decreased thyroid function) is characterized by fatigue, intolerance to cold, weight gain, dry skin and hair, depression Depression - a little more than a bad mood , Slow heartbeat, constipation. For hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) is characterized by reverse symptoms - weight loss, heat intolerance, increased nervousness and irritability, sleep disturbances Dreams: how to understand our dreams , Increased intestinal motility.

Indirect determination

In some cases, thyroid disorders are detected in the other assays: indirectly on diseases of the thyroid gland may indicate elevated cholesterol levels, elevated liver enzymes, anemia.

For the diagnosis of thyroid disease is usually used three different blood tests:

• A blood test for TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), a hormone produced by the pituitary gland and regulates the activity of the thyroid gland). Normal levels of the hormone - from one to six mU / l.
• A blood test for thyroxine (T4, a hormone produced by the thyroid gland). Normal levels of the hormone - from one to three ng / dL.
• Analysis of blood triiodothyronine (T3, another hormone produced by the thyroid gland). The normal level of the hormone - from seventy-five to two hundred ng / dL.

Fouls

Based on the results of blood tests are six types of disorders of the thyroid gland:

• Hidden insufficient activity of the thyroid gland (found in five to ten percent of women): elevated levels of thyrotropin (more than ten mU / l), normal levels of thyroxine and triiodothyronine.
• Hypothyroidism (lack of activity of the thyroid gland) with distinct symptoms: elevated levels of thyrotropin (more than ten mU / L), low levels of thyroxine and triiodothyronine.
• A rare combination of test results observed in various diseases are not related to the work of the thyroid gland: normal or elevated levels of TSH, elevated levels of thyroxine or triiodothyronine.
• A rare case of subclinical overactive thyroid, or a consequence of hormone therapy: low (less than one tenth mU / liter) levels of thyrotropin, a normal level of thyroxine or triiodothyronine.
• The increased activity of the thyroid gland caused by Graves' disease, goiter or toxic thyroid nodes: a reduced level of TSH, elevated levels of thyroxine or triiodothyronine.
• A rare case of pituitary disease or consequence of the disease, are not associated with the work of the thyroid gland: normal or reduced levels of TSH, low levels of thyroxine Thyroxine - the main thyroid hormone   or triiodothyronine.

Since the disruption of the thyroid gland - a phenomenon very often, doctors recommend doing tests, diagnosing thyroid disease, regularly, for example, every five years after reaching thirty-five years to check the level of TSH. A simple blood test will help to recognize the thyroid disease and start treatment. If signs and symptoms of thyroid function tests is recommended to appropriate more often.

Abnormal blood test results on thyrotropin require additional tests - usually first performed blood tests for thyroxine or triiodothyronine.