Hypothyroidism Diagnosis – Not As Routine As You May Think
Hypothyroidism diagnosis is not as complicated as one might think; in fact it is often just a matter of a simple blood test…but wait! Don’t let that little blood test fool you. Actually, diagnosing hypothyroidism may be a bit trickier than you might think. What? Yes, hypothyroidism is sometimes both easy…and difficult…to diagnose. It just “depends” on many things.
Most people assume they can diagnose hypothyroidism with a simple blood test, and often this is true… But, in some cases, diagnosis can prove a bit more complicated. Let’s find out why.
Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone; thus, one must assume the best way to diagnose hypothyroidism would be to measure the levels of thyroid hormone in the body.
This is partly true. There are normal ranges of thyroid hormone that should be circulating in every healthy individual. Typically a doctor will take a routine lab test to measure levels of thyroid hormones TSH, free T4, and free T3. Usually these tests are accurate and predictable measures to indicate whether someone has hypothyroidism.
Actually…diagnosis involves a bit more than this…
Usually someone with an under-active thyroid actually produces too little T4 thyroid hormone, which is the primary thyroid hormone. While this is too low, in hypothyroidism the TSH level in the body is too high. That means the body produces more of a substance called thyroid stimulating hormone or TSH as a way to “stimulate” the production of extra T4 in the body to compensate.
However, this cannot go on indefinitely.
For each person, the “correct” level of primary thyroid hormone or T4 may not be exactly the same. That means, one person may have a borderline normal level of T4, but they may still exhibit some of the classic signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism. Their body may still produce too much TSH; this may be too little to detect on a routine lab test.
Why?
Why Lab Tests Do Not Always Provide The Answers
Lab tests provide a snapshot of what is going on in the body in one moment of time. The levels of hormones in the body are however, constantly fluctuating. What that means is that a routine lab test may not catch someone that has borderline hypothyroid because their lab values may only dip below the “normal” ranges some of the time. They may be in the early stages of hypothyroidism.
Health care providers suggest that thyroid antibodies need to be tested in certain individuals to assess whether the body is actually fighting against itself, or its own thyroid gland. This may reveal whether a person has an autoimmune condition. Many people with hypothyroidism develop it secondary to other conditions, including autoimmune disorders in the body.
If this is the case, it is important for a health care provider to diagnose the underlying condition and treat it, for the entire to body to heal. In other words, treating hypothyroidism without treating the underlying disease will not improve an individual’s long-term odds for success, but will only help to manage symptoms.
Are The Levels Of High And Low Thyroid Hormone The Same For Everyone?
Not everyone has the same levels of T4, T3, and TSH circulating in their body. Just as each of us is unique, each of our bodies has its own genetic makeup. The pituitary gland is responsible for regulating the production of thyroid stimulating hormones. So, if something is awry with the pituitary gland, the odds are high that thyroid production may be askew.
Typically the people that have the most difficulty with hypothyroidism diagnosis are those with moderate or mild hypothyroidism, or sub clinical hypothyroidism. In cases like this, doctors must look at several different factors before they can accurately assess a patient’s condition and recommend treatment options.
Also, it is important to note that some patients with mild thyroid hormone fluctuations may actually feel very ill, while individuals with large hormone fluctuations may feel only mildly ill. Again, every person is different.
Once diagnosis is achieved, proper therapy and treatment may be implemented to help stabilize one’s health and long-term health outlook. You will be glad to know that nature has provided us with a cure for hypothyroidism that can both help reduce symptoms and treat the cause of illness, including the above mentioned autoimmune disorder. There are a wide range of natural supplements available that can be suited to the individual and you can see the benefits in the improvement of your blood tests as you progress.
