The thyroid gland appears like a butterfly in the lower neck area. The thyroid hormone regulates metabolism, growth, and brain development. Hypothyroidism is a condition that occurs when the thyroid gland is unable to produce enough hormones and release them in the bloodstream, which slows down metabolism and affects overall health. This condition is called hypothyroidism, also known as underactive thyroid disease.
If left untreated, hypothyroidism can lead to other health complications, including weight gain, digestion issues, mood swings, high cholesterol, and heart problems. This article dwells upon the methods of hypothyroidism diagnosis.
Diagnosis of hypothyroidism
If a person shows symptoms of hypothyroidism, the doctor will recommend blood tests to check the hormone levels. The process can include:
Medical history and physical examination:
Your doctor may seek your medical and family history to assess the chances of hypothyroidism.
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) :
The doctor will first suggest a blood test for thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) to diagnose hypothyroidism in the blood. If the initial TSH reading is high, another blood test is conducted to determine the level of the thyroid hormone thyroxine (T4). If the test reading shows an elevated TSH and a low T4, it is a case of hypothyroidism. In some cases, the T3 thyroid hormone test is also conducted by assessing the symptoms shown by the patient.
Thyroxine (T4) :
If the patient has lower than expected T4 levels, it is a case of hypothyroidism. Meanwhile, if the TSH level is high while the T4 value is normal, it is subclinical or mild hypothyroidism.
Thyroid scan:
A thyroid scan determines whether the thyroid gland is overactive by measuring the amount of iodine in the bloodstream. The doctor administers a small iodine tablet or liquid iodine into the body and runs a thyroid scan for this test. The scan will show if the entire gland is causing the problem or whether it is just a single area. A thyroid ultrasound is conducted to measure the size of the whole thyroid gland and to look for a thyroid nodule that can affect the normal functioning of the thyroid gland.
In the case of mild hypothyroidism, a person may not show any symptoms, and the condition disappears after a brief treatment. People with hypothyroidism should note it is a life-long medical condition that requires regular monitoring and treatment with medicines based on the T3, T4, and TSH level readings.
Conclusion
Hence, comprehensive health insurance and regular health check-ups can help in the early diagnosis and treatment of hypothyroidism. People can get cured of hypothyroidism by making some dietary changes and regularly taking the medication the healthcare professional recommends.