About 20 million people in the United States have some form of thyroid disease. Thyroid disease can cause a number of health issues, such as intolerance to heat or cold, unexplained weight gain or weight loss, and a racing heartbeat.
From hypothyroidism and thyroid cancer to Hashimoto’s disease, any kind of thyroid disease can cause detrimental problems that can affect your long-term health. To find out the right diagnosis and treatment of a patient’s thyroid condition, taking a thyroid screening test is one of the best methods.
What Is The Thyroid Gland?
The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland in the throat that secretes hormones that are necessary to the proper functioning of the human body. It handles regulating many processes in the body, such as metabolism, energy generation, and mood regulation.
The pituitary gland in the brain communicates with the thyroid gland through the creation of the hormone thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). The two main hormones created are triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). TSH stimulates the thyroid to produce T4, which is then circulated to body tissues before getting converted to T3.
Why Should I Get Thyroid Tests?
Thyroid tests are essential for both males and females, with females five to eight times more likely to develop a diagnosis of hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism than men. Some of the tests are administered in the screening are:
- TSH Test
The TSH test is a blood test that measures the amount of T4 hormone that the thyroid is being signaled to make. If you have an abnormally high level of TSH, it could mean you have hypothyroidism. If it is abnormally low, it could be hyperthyroidism.
- T4 test
The thyroid gland produces T4 (thyroxine). The free T4 and the free T4 index are blood tests that, when done with a TSH test, can let your physician know how your thyroid is functioning.
If your TSH, T3, or T4 levels are listed as abnormal in the test, your healthcare provider may want to do additional testing, such as a thyroid ultrasound or thyroid scan.
With the right diagnosis and preventative treatment, most people with thyroid disorders are able to do well and stay healthy. If you notice any signs or symptoms of what could be a form of thyroid disease, then you should take to take thyroid tests at your doctor’s office.
Who Should Take A Thyroid Screening Test
While people of all ages can be screened for thyroid disease, the following groups with certain conditions are those who are considered higher risk and should take it every year:
- Adults over sixty years old
- Women who have been pregnant or delivered a baby within the last six months
- Those with a family history of thyroid disease, who have been treated for a thyroid problem, have had neck surgery or radiation for cancer treatment
- Vitamin B12 deficiency
- Type 1 Diabetes
- Primary adrenal insufficiency
While symptoms are more likely to appear in these risk groups, this does not mean this should discourage you from doing a screening. One special group that should do this is children with underactive thyroid glands. If untreated, this can cause congenital hypothyroidism, poor growth, and abnormal brain development
Take A Thyroid Screening With Us Today
Getting your thyroid screening results gives your doctors information on how high the thyroid-stimulating hormone levels are and whether you have any thyroid diseases.
Contact us today to book your thyroid screening appointment.