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What basic diagnostic tests for the thyroid gland should be performed? Can I get thyroid tests for free under my health insurance? Which specialist should you go to? The question is answered by the drug. Paweł Żmuda-Trzebiatowski.
What tests are performed on the thyroid gland?
Hello. For some time now I have had problems with lethargy, apathy and general fatigue. There are also mood swings, which I suppose may be hormonal. It occurred to me that I might have some thyroid problems and I would like to know what thyroid tests perform? I do not mean some specialized tests, but the basic ones, thanks to which I could determine if I have problems with hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.
Can I perform such thyroid tests as part of primary health care at the National Health Fund or will I have to pay for them? And do they require a referral? And if so, is a referral from a family doctor enough or is it necessary to visit an endocrinologist first?
I am asking because the queues for specialists are quite large and I am wondering whether, due to the increasing problems with me, I should not perform these tests privately. Because I assume I can of course do it privately, right? I would be grateful for clearing up my doubts. Regards.
The doctor indicates thyroid tests that are worth doing
Ladies and Gentlemen, the symptoms you mentioned are quite general and not very specific, although they may be hypothyroidism. The thyroid gland is a gland that secretes hormones that respond to the regulation of metabolism. We talk about hypothyroidism when the concentration of hormones secreted by it is below normal, they are thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Triiodothyronine is a more active hormone than thyroxine, although its concentration in the blood is much lower.
Thyroid hormone deficiency It manifests itself as drowsiness, chronic fatigue, anxiety disorders, weight gain, slowness of movement, feeling of constant cold and brittleness of hair and nails. Your symptoms fit the description, but are not sufficient to make a diagnosis. In diagnosis of hypothyroidism the most important thing is to test the concentration of thyroxine, triiodothyronine and TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone).
TSH is a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland that stimulates the thyroid gland to produce T3 and T4. There are situations when the deficiency of thyroid hormones is responsible too little TSH. That is why it is so important to measure this hormone. Importantly, the high concentration of TSH and the symptoms of hypothyroidism enable an initial diagnosis of the disease. Sometimes the doctor, in addition to examining hormones, may recommend an ultrasound of the thyroid gland in order to exclude any abnormalities in its structure.
Referral for thyroid hormone testing and TSH can of course be issued by a family doctor, it does not have to be an endocrinologist. With a referral, you will perform the test free of charge. Of course, you can also do this test privately. If you are diagnosed with hypothyroidism, treatment involves the daily intake of levothyroxine, a synthetic thyroid hormone. In many cases, such treatment lasts until the end of life. Remember that the drug should be taken in the morning on an empty stomach, preferably at the same time.
– Lek. Paweł Żmuda-Trzebiatowski
If you are worried about the condition of your thyroid gland, or you notice symptoms of thyroid origin, buy a test package that will be performed all over Poland.
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