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What will the Thyroid Panel tell me?
The thyroid gland is responsible for regulating how your body uses energy. The thyroid also produces hormones critical to proper cell and system functioning.
The Thyroid Panel is helpful in screening for:
- thyroid disease
- hyperthyroidism
- hypothyroidism
There are two types of thyroid disorders including: Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) – symptoms may include fatigue, weight gain, a short attention span, and numbness or cold intolerance. Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) – symptoms may include weight loss, persistent vomiting, increased blood pressure, hair loss or a persistently fast heart rate.
What does the thyroid do?
The thyroid is one of the largest endocrine glands in the human body. It is found just below the Adam's apple, and controls:
- How sensitive the human body should be to the hormones it produces.
- How quickly the body burns energy (metabolism speed).
- How quickly the body creates/converts proteins.
Thyroid Pictures
Thyroid Adenoma
Thyroid Cancer
Thyroid Surgery
Why I would I want to check my thyroid?
Are you always tired? Does your weight fluctuate? It may be the result of a dysfunctional thyroid. If there is a thyroid level imbalance in your body, you may be more susceptible to everything from osteoporosis and heart disease to infertility and fatigue. Thyroid disorders are more common in women and they often occur after pregnancy and with older age. Find out now if you have hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.
What diseases are associated with thyroid hormone overproduction or underproduction?
- Graves' disease: Production of too much thyroid hormone.
- Subacute thyroiditis: inflammation of the thyroid causes the gland to "leak" excess hormones, resulting in temporary hyperthyroidism that generally lasts a few weeks but may persist for months.
- Toxic adenomas: Nodules develop in the thyroid gland and begin to secrete thyroid hormones, upsetting the body's chemical balance; some goiters may contain several of these nodules.
- Pituitary gland malfunctions or cancerous growths in the thyroid gland: Although rare, hyperthyroidism can also develop from these causes.
- Exposure to excessive amounts of iodide: Cold and sinus medicines, the heart medicine amiodarone, or certain contrast dyes given before some X-rays may expose you to too much iodine. You may be at greater risk for developing hypothyroidism, especially if you have had thyroid problems in the past.
- Hashimoto's thyroiditis: In this autoimmune disorder, the body attacks thyroid tissue. The tissue eventually dies and stops producing hormones.
- Removal of the thyroid gland: The thyroid may be surgically removed or chemically destroyed as treatment for hyperthyroidism.
- Lithium: This drug has also been linked as a cause of hypothyroidism.
What will my thyroid panel test results tell me?
Your results will clearly display your hormone count along with information pertaining to what the normal range is. Hormone levels out of range will be displayed in bold in the "Out of Range" column. It is advisable to take your thyroid panel results to your primary healthcare physician for diagnosis and treatment.