Do you sometimes feel tired and lifeless? No matter how much sleep you get, does that tiredness not go away? Or, do you suddenly lose or gain weight without making any major changes to your diet? Maybe you just feel irritable and anxious. Did you know that the real cause of these things could be a small butterfly-shaped gland in your neck? Today, we will talk about the thyroid gland and the tests that check its function.
Simply put, what is this thyroid gland?
Think of the thyroid gland as the command center of your body. It's like the system that controls the engine of a car. It's located in the front of your neck, just below your collarbone. It's shaped like a butterfly spreading its wings.
The biggest thing this little gland does is produce hormones that control how your body uses energy, that is, your metabolism. These hormones affect many things, including your heart rate, body temperature, digestion, and brain function. So even a small change in this gland can affect your entire body.
Why do we need to get a thyroid test?
There are several main reasons why your doctor may order a thyroid test. These tests can help determine if a change in thyroid function is the cause, especially if you have the following symptoms:
- Constant fatigue and sleepiness.
- Weight gain or loss without any reason.
- Feeling restless, irritable, or anxious.
- Dry skin, hair loss.
- Excessive sweating or inability to tolerate cold.
- Muscle pain and weakness.
- Irregularities in the menstrual cycle in women.
These tests can identify several conditions, mainly related to the thyroid gland.
| Medical condition | Simply put... |
|---|---|
| Hypothyroidism | The thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones. This is also called "underactive thyroid." |
| Hyperthyroidism | The thyroid gland produces more hormones than necessary. This is also called "overactive thyroid." |
| Thyroiditis | Swelling or inflammation of the thyroid gland. |
| Graves' disease | Hyperthyroidism is a condition caused by the body's immune system attacking and stimulating the thyroid gland. |
| Hashimoto's disease | A condition in which the immune system attacks and damages the thyroid gland, eventually causing hypothyroidism. |
There are two main types of thyroid tests:
Tests performed to examine the thyroid gland can be mainly divided into two parts.
1. Thyroid blood tests: These measure the levels of thyroid hormones in your blood, as well as antibodies.
2. Thyroid imaging tests: These are used to check the shape, size, and presence of nodules in the thyroid gland.
Now let's talk about each of these types in a little more detail.
How do blood tests work?
This is a very simple procedure. A small amount of blood is taken from your arm as usual and sent to a lab for testing. You will not feel any pain during this procedure. You usually do not need to eat or drink anything special before the test. However, if your doctor gives you any special instructions, you should follow them.
| Name of the test | What do you see in this? |
|---|---|
| TSH test | TSH stands for Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone. It is produced by the pituitary gland in your brain. This TSH hormone is what tells the thyroid gland to "make hormones." Usually, a doctor will first check this TSH level. |
| T4 test | T4, or thyroxine, is one of the main hormones produced by the thyroid gland. This measures how much of this hormone is in the blood. |
| T3 test | T3, or triiodothyronine, is the other main hormone produced by the thyroid gland. This test measures its level in the blood. |
| Thyroid Antibody Tests | Sometimes our body's own immune system starts attacking our thyroid gland. Then these antibodies can be seen in the blood. This test helps to detect conditions like Graves' disease and Hashimoto's disease. |
How do imaging tests work?
After blood tests, if your doctor needs more information about the physical condition of the thyroid gland, such as its size, shape, and whether there are any nodules, he may refer you for an imaging test.
- Thyroid Ultrasound: This is similar to the scan done on an expectant mother. It is painless. It uses sound waves to create a clear image of the thyroid gland. This is very important to see if there are any nodules in the neck and what their nature is.
- Thyroid Scan: This is done to look at the size and position of the thyroid gland. Sometimes this involves injecting a contrast material, a substance that makes the images clearer. This is done by giving a small pill containing radioactive iodine or by giving it as an injection. Don't be afraid of the word 'radioactive', because a very small, safe amount is used. When this iodine is added to the thyroid gland, the gland becomes very visible on the scan.
- Thyroid Uptake Test: This test measures how well your thyroid gland is working. You will also be given a liquid or capsule containing radioactive iodine to drink. Then, a few hours later, usually 24 hours later, a small device called a gamma probe is placed in the front of your neck to measure how much iodine your thyroid gland has taken up.
- If the gland has absorbed a lot of iodine , it may be a symptom of hyperthyroidism.
- If the gland is absorbing too little iodine , it may be a symptom of hypothyroidism.
Before these imaging tests, you may be asked to avoid eating or drinking for a few hours. You may also be asked to avoid foods high in iodine, such as kelp, for a few days. Your doctor will advise you about this in advance.
Test results and what happens next?
You will usually receive your test reports within a few days. Your doctor will then review the reports and talk to you to explain them.
For example, TSH levels:
- If your TSH level is higher than normal, it means that your thyroid gland is not producing enough hormones. This could be a condition called hypothyroidism. Because the thyroid gland is not working properly, the brain keeps trying to send TSH messages telling it to "work, work."
- If your TSH level is lower than normal, it means your thyroid gland is producing too much hormone. This could be a condition called hyperthyroidism. Because the gland is overactive, the brain stops sending TSH messages.
Most importantly: Don't judge a disease by looking at the numbers on your test report and comparing them to what you find online. Only your doctor can accurately analyze these results and correlate them with your symptoms to come to an accurate conclusion.
Sometimes a single test may not give a complete picture. In that case, your doctor may order additional tests. If a scan finds something like a lump, a biopsy (FNA - fine needle aspiration) may be done to determine if it is cancerous.
Take-Home Message
- The thyroid is a very important gland in your neck that controls the body's energy.
- Constant fatigue, weight changes, and restlessness can be symptoms of thyroid disease.
- Thyroid tests are nothing to be afraid of. They are usually simple tests that involve a blood sample or a painless scan.
- Once you get your test results, don't make decisions on your own. Always talk to your doctor about it and follow his or her advice.
- Most thyroid conditions can be successfully treated and managed, so if you have symptoms, don't delay seeking medical advice.
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