What are Thyroid Tests?
Thyroid tests check if your thyroid gland is functioning well. The thyroid gland resembles a butterfly in your neck and is positioned slightly above your breastbone.
The primary role of your thyroid gland is to generate hormones that govern a range of bodily functions. It is like a central hub that manages how your body utilizes energy.
Consider a thyroid test if you experience fatigue, sluggishness, restlessness, irritability, or unexplained weight fluctuations. These tests help in identifying thyroid disorders:
- Hypothyroidism
- Hyperthyroidism
- Thyroiditis
- Graves’ disease
- Hashimoto’s disease
What are the Types of Thyroid Tests?
There exist various types of thyroid tests, but they can be categorized into one of two groups:
Thyroid Blood Test
It screens for hormones and proteins such as antibodies and thyroglobulin. These tests help determine underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) or overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).
Several types of blood tests for thyroid function exist, including TSH, T3, and T4 levels and tests for thyroid antibodies.
Thyroid Imaging Test
Thyroid imaging tests assist in identifying lumps in the neck and determining their cancerous or noncancerous nature.
Nuclear medicine imaging, like thyroid uptake and scan tests, belongs to this category. These tests involve the introduction of a small quantity of contrast material via injection or ingestion.
Interpreting Thyroid Test Results
Thyroid tests have to be interpreted to derive meaning. TSH test provides significant insight into thyroid function and can indicate the cause of thyroid issues when combined with free T3 and free T4 results.
TSH Interpretations
Abnormal TSH levels suggest a thyroid disorder, while near-limit values may indicate a subtle disorder without apparent symptoms.
Here are the TSH values:
- TSH levels between 4.7 and 10 mU/L: subclinical low thyroid function.
- TSH levels of 10 mU/L or higher: symptomatic low thyroid function.
- TSH levels between 0.1 and 0.5 mU/L: subclinical overactive thyroid function.
- TSH levels of 0.1 mU/L and lower: symptomatic overactive thyroid function.
Comparing High/Low TSH and T3/T4 Levels
Your healthcare provider can gain a better understanding of the thyroid problem by examining the TSH and T4 levels in comparison:
- Normal TSH + normal T4: normal thyroid function
- High TSH + normal T4: a higher risk of developing an underactive thyroid
- Low TSH + high T4: overactive thyroid
- High TSH + low T4: underactive thyroid
- Low TSH + low T4: low thyroid function due to other problems like pituitary gland dysfunction
TSH and T3 results together help diagnosis:
- Low T3 + high TSH: low thyroid function
- High T3 + low TSH: overactive thyroid
Take Away
Numerous thyroid blood tests are offered, examining hormones, stimulating hormones, thyroid antibodies, and cancer markers. Together, these results provide a comprehensive view of thyroid function, aiding diagnosis and treatment monitoring.
If you are looking for a thyroid doctor in Vadodara, visit us at Grace Laboratory.
FAQs
1. What is the thyroid blood test price in India?
The thyroid blood test price in India ranges somewhere between Rs 300 to Rs 700.
2. Is curd good for the thyroid?
Yogurt is a top food for the thyroid because it’s rich in nutrients and helps maintain proper thyroid function by meeting the body’s iodine needs.
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