Different Types of Thyroid Tests

The thyroid is a small gland below the skin and muscles at the front of the neck, at the spot where a bow tie would rest. It makes two types of thyroid hormones: T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine). It helps the body do many things, such as get energy from food, grow, and go through sexual development.

Some diseases of the thyroid or pituitary gland cause the thyroid to make too much or not enough thyroid hormone. If the thyroid is overactive, it releases too much thyroid hormone, causing hyperthyroidism. The body use up energy more quickly than it should, and chemical activity (like metabolism) in the cells speeds up. Symptoms include sweating, trembling, weight loss, and fast heartbeat.

If the thyroid is underactive, it makes too little thyroid hormone, causing hypothyroidism. The body uses up energy more slowly, and chemical activity (metabolism) in the cells slows down. Symptoms include tiredness, feeling cold, constipation, dry skin, and slow height growth in children. For thyroid test, you must visit thyroidtest centre near me.

What are the types of thyroid disorders?

The most common thyroid disorders include:-

·       Thyroid nodules

·       Hashimoto's thyroiditis

·       Hyperparathyroidism

·       Thyroid cancer

·       Thyroiditis

·       Hyperthyroidsm

·       Hypothyroidism

·       Graves' disease

What Are Thyroid Blood Tests?

Doctors use blood tests to check for thyroid or pituitary problems. In kids already diagnosed with thyroid or pituitary problems, the tests are used to guide treatment.  The thyroid test cost in Hyderabad differs from one to other diagnostic centre.

Commonly ordered types of thyroid tests:-

T4 test: This is done to measure the blood level of the hormone T4 (thyroxine). It might be done in one or both of the following ways:-

Total T4 - It measures the entire amount of thyroxine in the blood, including the amount attached to blood proteins that help carry the hormone through the bloodstream

Free T4 - It measures only the thyroxine that's not attached to proteins. This is the part of T4 in the blood that affects how the body's cells work.

The results of the T4 blood tests can help diagnose hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism and guide treatment.

TSH test: A thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) test can help tell how well the thyroid is working. If a thyroid disease prevents the gland from making enough thyroid hormone, the pituitary gland releases more TSH into the blood. If the thyroid is making too much thyroid hormone, the pituitary releases less TSH, which can lower the levels of TSH in the blood.

T3 total test: The T3 total test measures the other major thyroid hormone in the blood. It often helps doctors diagnose hyperthyroidism.

Thyroid antibodies test: Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the thyroid gland. To diagnose it, doctors check for high levels of antibodies that are a sign of the immune system's attack on proteins in the thyroid gland. Usually, two types of thyroid antibodies are measured: thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb) and thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO).

In some cases, abnormal thyroid TSH tests result can be due to a medicine, an ongoing medical condition, or pregnancy. In these cases, there may be nothing wrong with the thyroid or pituitary glands themselves.

Before getting the test done, it is important to check the thyroid test price.

What procedures and tests diagnose thyroid problems?

Blood tests are used to diagnose hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. They do not point to a specific cause. In order to determine a cause of the thyroid abnormality, the doctor will consider the patient's history, physical examination, and medical condition. Further testing might be used to isolate an underlying cause. These tests might include more blood testing for

·       Thyroid antibodies

·       Nuclear medicine thyroid scanning

·       Ultrasound of the thyroid gland

If thyroid cancer is suspected and surgery may be required, your physician may ask for a blood test known as thyroglobulin.

If the thyroglobulin level at baseline is detectable or elevated (this means the gland does in fact make the protein) it can be used as a tumor marker.

After a total thyroidectomy for cancer (removal of the entire thyroid gland) the level should fall to an undetectable range since the cells that make thyroglobulin have been removed.

If the level remains detectable after surgery, there is a possibility of thyroid tissue elsewhere in the body, and metastatic disease should be considered.

If the level is undetectable for a period of time after surgery and then starts to climb, a recurrence of the cancer - either at the primary site or elsewhere in the body should be considered.

Why you may need a thyroid test?

It is not uncommon to have hypothyroidism and still being unaware of the condition. It might take some time for symptoms to be noticeable. Regular thyroid screening helps get diagnosed on time and seek early treatment. It is more important to get tested if thyroid conditions run in your family. The more family members that have thyroid disease, the higher the chances the person will experience a thyroid disease.

Moreover, women of all ages are more likely than men to have low thyroid hormone levels. If you are 60 or older, it’s a good idea to check with your doctor to see whether your medical history suggests you might benefit from getting testing for thyroid levels.

If you seem to have any of the symptoms of low or high thyroid levels, talk to your doctor and get tested as advised. Do not ignore any health symptoms. Getting the right treatment can help you get complete control of your thyroid-related symptoms. To test thyroid function, you must reach out to a well-known diagnostic centre.