Why do I need to check my thyroid?
People from the following categories are more prone to thyroid
disorders.
Women above 25 years of age
Women who have recently
given birth
Those having High cholesterol
Those who lose or gain weight
rapidly
Those who feel exhausted and
fatigued
Those with abnormalities in
menstrual pattern
Those suffering from infertility
Those with a family history of
thyroid disease
Get Thyroid Check at home
Physical examination of Thyroid
Physical examination is a preliminary
step which aids in diagnosis for
presence of any nodules or inflammation in the gland. The patient is
asked to sit upright with the head
raised in a hyperextension and asked
to swallow water. The examination of
the neck portion is carried out to
detect any abnormalities of the
thyroid gland like enlargement,
asymmetry or presence of any
abnormal masses. The neck of the
patient is also inspected for any
prominent pulsation.
Biochemical test for thyroid evaluation
Thyroid biochemistry, physiology
and pathophysiology is quite complicated. Biochemical tests are used in
combination to study the function of
the gland and the causes behind any
dysfunction. However, testing for
FT3, FT4 and TSH is the most used
combination by doctors. These are the
basic Thyroid Function Test, which reveal
concentration of the hormones in the
bloodstream and the diagnosis
thereof. The tests asked can be one or
two or many, out of the 7 tests mentioned below:
Triiodothyronine (T3)
Thyroxine (T4)
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
Free Thyroxine (Ft4)
Free Triiodothyronine (Ft3)
Anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (ATG)
Anti-microsomal antibodies (AMA)
Thyroid scan
This is a technique of taking images of
the thyroid gland by using small
amounts of a radioisotope such as
Tc99m pertechnatate or radioiodine.
This isotope moves to the thyroid
gland and its distribution can be
imaged by special machines called
gamma cameras. The structural &
functional information helps in
diagnosing thyroid abnormalities.
Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC)
FNAC is type of biopsy technique for
obtaining a small part of the gland for
examination under the microscope.
The presence of cancer cells can only
be seen under magnification by a
microscope. Using a small needle,
which one uses for blood collection,
an experienced pathologist will
needle out a small amount of tissue
from the nodule or part of the thyroid
gland. As the needle is fine, only a
pricking sensation will be felt. There is
no need for anesthesia, a special operation theater or specific preparations.
There are no side effects . it is an
outpatient procedure and takes a
minute or two .
Thyroid ultrasound
Ultrasound examination of the
thyroid is a method of imaging the
gland. High frequency ultrasound
waves are passed through the thyroid
gland and the echoes or reflected rays
are detected by special electronics
which take up the form of an image. It
helps in determining whether the
thyroid has any nodules and whether
the nodules are fluid-filled or solid. If
they are solid then the chances of a
cancer are high.
Weight speaks about thyroid health
What we eat should be converted into
energy for a normal and healthy life.
In hypothyroidism, due to paucity of
hormones, the energy conversion is
reduced. Hence, fat accumulation
and increase in weight is very
common in hypothyroid patients.
Whereas, in hyperthyroidism, the
hormones are in excess and hence
they burn out the energy more than
required, resulting in heavy loss of
weight. Some patients even lose 10
kgs in just a month or two. Thus,
weight and stamina are the two main
criteria in thyroid evaluation.
Cold and Hot nodules
Normal thyroid gland is seen on the
scan as a uniform distribution of the
Radioisotope. In patients who have a nodule in the gland, it is necessary to show
whether it is over functioning or under functioning. An over functioning nodule
will appear darker than the rest of the gland and is called a "hot nodule". The
opposite is true for a "cold nodule". The need for this test is because the chance of
a cancer is high (about 30-35%) in cold nodules.
Is thyroid cancer deadly?
Fortunately, thyroid cancer is one of the least frightening among all cancers. The
tumor can be removed by surgery along with the entire gland. This may be
followed by giving oral radioiodine to clear any tissue remaining behind after
surgery, and the required hormones for the rest of the life. Many thyroid cancer
patients lead a normal life and die of causes other than cancer.
What causes thyroid problems in females?
It is known and proven that,
women have a five fold higher risk than
men in suffering from a thyroid dysfunction. Menstrual cycle, pregnancy
delivery, hormonal changes, immunological factors and stress makes women
more prone to thyroid dysfunction.
Does thyroid affect baby during pregnancy?
During pregnancy, the requirement
for thyroid hormones is increased (for
child also) and hence, a thyroid
patient should be monitored closely
in the first and second trimester. Both
the mother and fetus require optimum
hormone levels.
In a hypothyroid pregnant patient, the
dose monitoring should be done
more frequently and with extra care. It
is known that, deficiency of thyroid
hormones can cause irreversible
damage to both - physical and mental
growth of the fetus. Hence, it is
recommended that, a good endocrinologist be approached for better
management.
How much does it cost to get your thyroid checked?
More than 100 good laboratories in the country are doing Thyroid tests with the
promise of best quality, but majority of them charge rates ranging from 400 to
1200 for the three investigations namely FT3, FT4 and TSH. However, under
the new concept of specialisation, networking and blending the break through in
laboratory technologies, and with the advent of information technology, the
most reliable thyroid diagnosis service is available for 300 to 400 in any part of
the country. The major contribution in such a breakthrough is from Thyrocare,
world's largest thyroid test laboratory.
Can values of T3, T4, and TSH mismatch?
The values can mismatch and the
causes could be one or more of the
following:
The test could have been done
during the long transition period
from normal to abnormal or vice
versa.
T3, T4 and TSH levels influence
each other; so an abnormality in
one may be an early indication of
the others to follow suit within few
days.
Ingestion of any thyroid related drug
or recent radioiodine treatment or
thyroid surgery.
Drugs like Propanolol, Amiodarone, Phenytoin, Carbamazepine,
Gluco-corticoids, Androgens,
Anabolic Steroids and Salicylates,
which influence thyroid hormone
levels.
Thyroiditis.
Non-thyroidal illness.
80% of T3 is derived from T4 and
hence, under certain circumstances, the T3 can be low, borderline or high without a thyroid
dysfunction.
Low T3 syndrome, T3 toxicosis,
TBG deficiency or excess, Familial
Dysalbuminemic Hyperthyroxinemia (FDAH), Prealbumin-
associated Hyperthyroxinemia
(PAH), and the presence of
antibodies to thyroid hormones.
Appropriate timings for specimen collection
A minimum of 8 hrs fasting
blood serum sample should be
obtained to enable optimal
comparison with reference
values. (If this is not possible,
specimens can be collected at
any time of day).
Post-operative samples should
be collected at least ten days after
thyroidectomy. Again a
fasting blood sample would be
preferred.
Thyroid medications (thyroid
hormones and anti-thyroid drugs)
should be omitted prior to
blood sample collection.
To reduce the variability of test
results, specimens should be
obtained at the same time of the
day for follow-up with similar
fasting conditions.
Frequency of abnormal reports
A laboratory performing high quality
thyroid testing can expect mismatched results in 10% to 15% of the
samples received. Most of these show
normal T3 and T4 values and
abnormal TSH. These results can be
due to various reasons. They can
indicate near past or near future
thyroid illness or a sensitive or lethargic thyroid feedback mechanism
besides the influence of drugs, and such cases should be closely
watched or symptomatically treated or even further investigated
wherever desired.
Fortnight variations in patient reports
This is possible in many situations. For example, in thyroiditis,
which involves damage of thyroid cells, the stored hormones in
each thyroid cell may leak during cell destruction. The thyroid
hormone levels thus increase, although there is no over
functioning of the gland. Hence, when the disease is very active,
the picture observed is hyperthyroidism and once the immune
attack is over, the patient will become hypothyroid for life.
Whole Body Check-up Packages @ Rs.750
Variation in values from one laboratory to another
Normally they should not. If reputed laboratories are compared
then, there should not be much variations. However, some
times due to difference in techniques, automations and quality
systems, conscientiousness and methodology, there can be
minor to major variations. It should also be noted that neither
two brands of kits nor two kits made in the same manufacturing
unit have identical normal
range. Hence, no two
laboratories are likely to
give identical test values.
Thyroid Cancers
Thyroid cancers arise from tumors in the thyroid gland. Most nodules are, however,
noncancerous. Thyroid cancers can show no symptoms and silently spread to different
parts of the body. The different types of cancer are papillary thyroid cancer, follicular
thyroid cancer, medullary thyroid cancer, and anaplastic thyroid cancer.
Symptoms
- Enlargement of lymph nodes
- Swelling
- Thyroid nodules
- Pain in the neck
- Breathing difficulty
- Persistent cough not associated with a cold
Detection and Diagnosis of Thyroid Cancers
As the symptoms of thyroid disorders are hard to identify, it is generally recommended,
especially
for older women to get tested for thyroid disorders. This can be done by blood tests
that measure the levels of thyroid hormones, as most thyroid disorders manifest with
thyroid hormone imbalances.
1. Testing of T3, T4 and TSH
Abnormally high levels of TSH with low levels of thyroid hormones indicate hypothyroidism,
while high levels of T4 and T3 and low levels of TSH can be indicative of hyperthyroidism.
2. lodine uptake test
Done to detect nodules in the thyroid gland;nodules take up the radioactive iodine that
is injected into the blood. The location where iodine is accumulated is then detected
through scanning,
3. Antithyroid antibodies
These are immune proteins produced by the body which are directed against healthy
thyroid tissues. Their presence in blood can indicate an autoimmune reaction against
the thyroid gland and can be used to diagnose autoimmune thyroid conditions.
The thyroid gland is like a knob that is turned one way or the other to suit the body's needs.
This tiny gland of around 30 g is a regulator of key processes that ensure our well-being.
A disorder of this organ can severely affect the quality of life. Routine check-up on the
functioning of the thyroid gland can assist the early diagnosis of thyroid disorders.
Think Good Health. Think Thyroid. Think Thyroid. Think Thyrocare.
Thyroid Testing at Thyrocare
Complete automation for Precision & Accuracy!
Thyroid Function Test carried out at Thyrocare are witnesses of the transformation from manual to complete automation.
Testing of thyroid parameters are performed using Chemiluminescence Immunoassay i.e. CLIA which is a
completely automated assay and it has enhanced the operational efficiency with high throughput screening. The
entire procedure from sample loading, addition of antigens, washing, detection and measurement of
luminescence is performed with the help of automated movements of paths and probes. Then comes the result
which is generated by the analyser itself in ng/dL units.
