Low Thyroid Tests

Low Thyroid Tests--Getting Accurate Low Thyroid Test Results

Low thyroid tests are an important weapon for sufferers of hypothyroidism. Low thyroid test results initially show an under active thyroid gland and when used regularly to monitor the condition, they also allow the doctor or yourself to keep check on how you're responding to treatment.

In the first instance, thyroid tests are performed to confirm a patients symptoms of an under active or overactive thyroid gland. Other reasons include, but are not confined to, the following:

A pre-op test performed before surgery

To check for thyroid tumors

To determine the level of thyroid malfunction.

Low thyroid tests are just one of many available to sufferers of a thyroid disorder, each serving a different purpose. Some tests are used in isolation but most offer a more reliable diagnosis when combined with other test results. The following tests are the ones performed most regularly and so are the ones you are most likely to come across.

A Measurement of the Serum Thyroid Hormone is taken by way of Radio immunoassay. The most common thyroid test at present is performed to measure the level of thyroxine the patient has present in the blood. This test is particularly accurate for patients that have not started a course of medication.

The level of TSH is determined to ascertain pituitary gland functionality. Thyroid stimulating hormones are produced by this gland, and by measuring the amount present in the blood, a diagnosis of a failing thyroid gland can be made if there are elevated levels of TSH present.

By injecting a patient with TRH, a hormone naturally produced by the hypothalamus to prompt the pituitary gland into producing TSH, the response to this new level of TRH can be monitored. If an increased response from the pituitary gland is noticed then the indication is the subject has low thyroid test results.

The body takes iodine from the foods we eat which is then used from the blood stream by the thyroid gland in the production of hormones. As a western diet generally delivers sufficient iodine for this process to happen naturally, an iodine uptake scan is successful in highlighting when the thyroid gland is utilizing too little iodine. When this happens it points again to a low thyroid test result (hypothyroidism), on the flip side using too much would be an indicator of hyperthyroidism.

Probably the low thyroid tests with the biggest growth in recent years is the thyroid scan. By using the latest technology in 3D imagery, medical professionals use a special camera to obtain a picture, similar to a scan done on pregnant women of their babies, from which they can see the levels of iodine and activity of the thyroid. A quick, painless and cost effective procedure to obtain accurate low thyroid test results.