Thyroid disease in common term is used for a medical condition in which your thyroid gland does not produce the right amount of hormones.it can affect people across all ages. The thyroid gland is a small butterfly-shaped gland at the front of your throat under your skin. It almost affects every part of your body by producing and releasing some of the very important hormones like Thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).
The thyroid’s main job is to control the metabolism rate. The metabolism rate is the number of calories you burn as your body performs basic life-sustaining functions. When the thyroid doesn't work properly, it impacts the entire human body.
Thyroid tests: thyroid tests are done to check whether your thyroid gland is working properly or not. It produces hormones like T3 and T4 and controls several body systems. It is a command that manages how your body will use its energy.
There are a few symptoms of thyroid, which areas such-
Fatigue, restlessness, unexplained weight loss or weight gain, sluggishness, and irritability.
Thyroid tests can help diagnose diseases like-
- Hypothyroidism
- Thyroiditis
- Graves’ disease
- hashimoto’s disease
Types of thyroid test:
- Thyroid blood test: in this test, we check for hormones and proteins like antibodies and thyroglobulin. As a result, in this test, we can conclude whether the person is suffering from hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) or hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). There are many types of thyroid blood tests like TSH, T3, T4, and thyroid antibodies.
- Thyroid imaging test: in this test, we scan to find nodules(lumps) in your neck to determine whether it is benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
How does a thyroid blood test work?
A thyroid blood test measures a certain amount of hormones in your body. Excessive or intensive amounts of hormones mean you have thyroid disease.
It is used to measure different things:
- TSH measures thyroid stimulating hormones which are produced by the pituitary gland and travels to the thyroid gland to produce T3 and T4 hormones.
- T3 measures triiodothyronine in blood which is one of the hormones produced by the thyroid gland.
- T4 Measures the amount of thyroxine produced by the thyroid gland in your blood which are other main hormones that the thyroid makes.
- A thyroid antibody test provides the information about presence of thyroid antibodies in your blood. Its presence might mean autoimmune disorders like Graves’ disease or Hashimoto’s disease.
How does a thyroid imaging test work?
It provides information like the shape, size, and function of your thyroid gland.
-
Thyroid ultrasound uses sound waves for information like the shape, size, and positioning of your thyroid gland by a handheld device against your neck which sends sound waves through your body and the receiver analyzes the rest as they bounce back by your thyroid.
-
A thyroid scan uses computed tomography (CT) to look at the shape and size of the thyroid gland. it uses a contrast material to highlight the areas of concern. It involves either an injection of radioactive iodine or a capsule that you swallow before the test.
-
Thyroid uptake tests inform us about the wellness of your thyroid gland. In this test you swallow a small amount of radioactive iodine and then by placing a gamma probe in front of your neck. They try to read if your thyroid takes up a large amount means you have hyperthyroidism or Graves’ disease or if taking up a small amount of iodine means hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s disease.