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HTDS Guide > About Thyroid
Disease > Checking for Thyroid Disease
HTDS Guide
Checking for Thyroid Disease
Checking for thyroid disease is similar to other kinds of medical
evaluations. The doctor considers the patient's medical history,
examines the thyroid and may order a blood test or other diagnostic
tests.
A standard physical examination of the thyroid gland is done by
palpation – that is, feeling the thyroid gland. The doctor feels for the
size and texture of the gland, and whether any masses or nodules are
present.
Testing for Thyroid Function
There are two standard blood tests of thyroid function: the
measurement of thyroid hormone, usually T4, and the measurement of
thyrotropin (TSH). TSH is a hormone secreted from the pituitary gland
that controls how much thyroid hormone the thyroid makes.
Abnormal blood tests usually reveal thyroid function problems and not
the presence of thyroid nodules or cancer.
Testing for Nodules
If a nodule is found during the physical examination, a test called
fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy may be done to help find out whether
the nodule is cancerous or benign. In addition, a thyroid nuclear scan
may help the doctor evaluate thyroid function or nodules. The scan is
performed by giving the patient a radioisotope and taking a special
picture to see how much of the radioisotope is taken up by the thyroid
gland.
A thyroid ultrasound scan is a diagnostic test that shows a picture
of the anatomy, or structure, of the thyroid gland. Ultrasound is most
often used to determine if a nodule is solid or cystic. Cystic nodules,
containing only fluid, are usually benign.
Ultrasound is not usually performed as a routine screening test for
thyroid nodules in the general population. The reason is that small,
nonpalpable ultrasound abnormalities are very common in people without
evidence of thyroid disease.
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Depression or feeling blue |
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Trouble concentrating |
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Tiredness |
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Dry skin and hair |
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Weight gain |
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Feeling cold all the time |
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Nervousness and anxiety |
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Weight loss |
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Tremor (shaking) |
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Fast, irregular pulse |
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Tiredness |
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Feeling hot all the time |
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