How to check for hypothyroidism
Mar 05, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Chuanjia
Introduction
In general, hypothyroidism can be diagnosed through clinical evaluation, patient or family medical history review, thyroid hormone testing, thyroid ultrasound, and thyroid antibody testing. Patients should follow their physician's guidance for regular thyroid function monitoring and make lifestyle adjustments, including maintaining a balanced diet and engaging in appropriate physical activity, to promote overall health.
Generally, hypothyroidism can be diagnosed through clinical observation, inquiry about personal or family medical history, thyroid hormone testing, thyroid ultrasound, and thyroid antibody testing. A detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Observation of Clinical Symptoms
Patients may experience symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, dry skin, and constipation. These symptoms are not unique to hypothyroidism, but the presence of multiple symptoms together may suggest an underactive thyroid.
2. Inquiry About Personal or Family Medical History
A history of autoimmune diseases, previous thyroid surgery or radiation therapy, or family members with thyroid disorders all increase the risk of developing hypothyroidism.
3. Thyroid Hormone Testing
This primarily involves measuring levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), total thyroxine (T4), and free thyroid hormones. Elevated TSH levels combined with decreased total or free thyroxine levels suggest hypothyroidism.
4. Thyroid Ultrasound
A thyroid ultrasound helps evaluate the shape, size, and presence of nodules or enlargement of the thyroid gland. In patients with hypothyroidism, ultrasound may reveal sparse or unevenly distributed thyroid echogenicity or glandular enlargement.
5. Thyroid Antibody Testing
Testing for antibodies such as thyroid peroxidase antibodies and thyroglobulin antibodies helps determine the cause of hypothyroidism. A positive antibody test combined with elevated TSH levels suggests possible thyroid cell damage due to autoimmune thyroiditis.
Patients should follow their doctor's guidance to regularly monitor thyroid function and make lifestyle adjustments, including maintaining a balanced diet and engaging in appropriate physical activity, to promote overall health.
