Contents
The thyroid gland is the most important component of the endocrine system. It is this organ that is responsible for the regulation of metabolic processes in the body. Pathologies of the thyroid gland entail violations in the functionality of all organs and systems. To identify diseases of the “thyroid gland”, special medical tests are carried out, according to the results of which the patient is diagnosed with one or another diagnosis. The most commonly prescribed blood test for thyroid hormones. This article is about this research method.
In fact, this analysis allows you to really assess the activity of the gland and, on the basis of this, identify violations in its work and establish an accurate diagnosis. There are two pathological conditions – hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. In the first case, we are talking about an insufficient amount of hormones produced, in the second – about excess. Both conditions are undesirable, since in any case they provoke disruptions in the functioning of the entire endocrine system and the body as a whole.
Preparation for analysis
This analysis requires careful preparation. There are many factors that influence the results of a study. A simple violation of the recommended diet can cause a hormonal surge – as a result, an incorrect diagnosis will be made. And medical therapy will be ineffective or even harmful to the body. Therefore, a blood test for thyroid hormones is always given routinely. Previously, the specialist informs the patient about what factors can change the indications of hormones and how to avoid this.
In the case when a person is undergoing therapy with hormonal drugs or thyreostatics, the study is prescribed no earlier than a month after the end of treatment. In the event that hormonal therapy is vital and its cancellation is impossible, it is important for a specialist who will directly conduct a blood test to know the full information about the medications taken. This will allow him to make appropriate adjustments to the results and bring blood counts as close as possible to real ones.
The main micronutrient that affects the function of the thyroid gland is iodine. 5-7 days before the analysis, all iodine-containing preparations, including synthetic multivitamin complexes, should be excluded.
48 hours before the study, it is recommended to exclude fatty and heavy foods, alcohol from the diet, and also reduce the amount of nicotine. During this period, stress, emotional outbursts, and physical activity should be avoided. A complete cessation of smoking is required 24 hours before the analysis. If it is difficult for the patient to fulfill this condition, the period is reduced to 8-12 hours.
Показания
The doctor prescribes a blood test for thyroid hormones in the case when there is a suspicion of hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. Pathological conditions have severe symptoms. The main signs of the disease include:
- violation of the heart rhythm, in particular – arrhythmia;
- dry skin;
- irritability, asthenic syndrome;
- weight loss or gain;
- severe baldness;
- infertility;
- impaired development of young children;
- violation of the menstrual cycle in women;
- the appearance of a goiter.
Why do pregnant women need to undergo this study? During pregnancy, the hormonal background changes greatly, the activity of the thyroid gland increases by 30-50%. This is a normal phenomenon due to natural changes in the body. But it is important not to miss the development of certain diseases at the moment, so hormone control is necessary.
More about the procedure
A blood test for thyroid hormones is taken on an empty stomach. It is forbidden to drink even tea without sugar, only a small amount of pure water is allowed. It is better to arrive at a medical institution 30-45 minutes before donating blood so that there is time to completely relax and calm down – compliance with these conditions is an additional guarantee of the accuracy of the results obtained.
Blood sampling for hormones is performed according to the standard scheme. The patient sits down on the couch, a tourniquet is applied to the shoulder, a needle is inserted into the saphenous vein in the area of the elbow bend, with the help of which the required amount of biological fluid is collected. The puncture site is pre-disinfected with an antiseptic.
The obtained blood samples are sent to the laboratory. The time of the study largely depends on the workload of the laboratory, usually the results can be obtained the very next day.
There are basic substances, the content of which in the blood is paid attention during the study – this is triiodothyronine (T3); thyroxine (T4); antibodies to thyroperoxidase and thyroglobulin. You can independently compare your own blood counts with general standards and understand if there are pathological dysfunctions of the endocrine system. But a doctor’s consultation is necessary, since various factors can affect the level of hormones, and only a highly qualified specialist can draw up a complete clinical picture.
How dangerous are deviations from the norm?
An increase or decrease in the rate of hormone production indicates various pathologies, therefore, with hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, it is first necessary to identify the cause that provokes the condition.
With hyperthyroidism, a person suffers from increased sweating, arrhythmias, weakness, and weight loss. After the diagnosis and selection of the correct therapy, it is possible to achieve normalization of the hormonal background.
Hypothyroidism in most cases is provoked by an acute lack of iodine in the body. The most common cause of this condition is an autoimmune disease. At the same time, the person feels lethargic, weak, and there is a sharp weight gain. Usually, for the onset of visible improvements, it is enough to eliminate the deficiency of important trace elements.