Profile of Thyroid Hormones I | Screening

When should we take the test?

When evaluating the functional status of the thyroid gland, when thyroid damage is suspected. It is important to know that functional disorders or diseases of the thyroid gland in the initial stage are not always clinically apparent. Therefore, periodic screening of the thyroid gland is recommended for timely diagnostics.

The study is recommended in patients with symptoms of increased or decreased thyroid function. The test is also prescribed in people with enlarged glands (called "goiters") or "nodules".

Increased function of the thyroid gland can be manifested by the following symptoms:

• weight loss on the background of normal or increased appetite;
• Accelerated pulse and increase in blood pressure;
• Gentle, warm, moist skin with a tendency to sweat;
• Trembling
• Insomnia, emotional tension, irritability, crying;
• Bringing the eyes forward;
• Frequent urination or diarrhea.

Or vice versa, when the function decreases, it is observed:

• weight gain, even against the background of decreased appetite;
• Slow heart rate and low blood pressure;
• pale, swollen, cold skin;
• depression, drowsiness, memory loss;
• Constipation;
• thinning eyebrows or hair loss;
• Constant feeling of cold.

TSH and FT4 tests are prescribed after treatment or surgery for thyroid disease. At the beginning of treatment, the test should be performed once a month. Once the exact maintenance dose is determined - once every 2-6 months.