Diagnosis and treatment of thyroid diseases

Diagnosis and treatment of thyroid diseases

One of the biggest obstacles to properly diagnosing thyroid problems is that the symptoms mimic those of many other common diseases. For example, you might think that the weight loss is due to your increasingly sedentary lifestyle, or that the increasing tiredness or irritability is due to feeling extremely stressed from being overworked either at work or even at home. However, sudden weight gain or loss, irritability, fatigue, and muscle weakness are also signs of thyroid disease.

To determine the root cause of the unusual symptoms, it is best to contact your doctor and get a thorough examination.

General diagnostic methods

To diagnose whether or not you have problems with the gland, your doctor will focus on cardiac, neurological, skin and visual findings. This is done using different types of tests and scans depending on the results of the initial results.

The first test that is usually done is the TSH or thyroid stimulating hormone test, which calculates the amount of hormones in the blood. Excessive amounts of hormones indicate that the problem is due to overproduction, while lower than normal amounts indicate that the gland is not producing enough hormones.

Other blood tests may include tests for free T4, TSH receptor antibodies or TSI and antithyroid antibodies.

In addition to blood tests, your doctor may also perform a nuclear thyroid scan by injecting you or asking you to swallow a tiny amount of radioactive iodine. An increase or decrease in iodine update could be an indication of hyper- or hypo-thyroidism.

Thyroid ultrasound is another test that can help determine the number, size, and type of nodules present in the gland.

Fine needle aspiration is another test procedure in which the doctor uses a fine needle to obtain a sample of the problem. This is usually done using an ultrasound as a guide. The tissue obtained is then placed under a microscope to check for signs of cancer.

Effective treatment options

There are no home treatments for this condition as most of the underlying factors are beyond the scope of home care. You must go to a doctor to receive proper medical examination and treatment.

Some of the most common non-invasive treatment options may include medications and radioactive iodide treatments. In most cases, both treatment methods are very effective in suppressing or even stopping hormone production. However, sometimes the doctor may recommend surgery if more aggressive methods are necessary.

Inspired by Juanita Swindell