Diagnosis
Pain is diagnosed on the basis of a detailed interview with the patient. The easiest way to diagnose thyroid dysfunction is to take a blood sample. The activity of the thyroid hormones can be detected in the blood.
These are called T3 and T4 or free T3 and T4 (fT3, fT4). Only the fT4 value is meaningful. It is lowered in all forms of hypofunction.
In order to investigate the underlying cause of hypofunction directly, another hormone is also determined. This is called TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone or thyrotropin). It is elevated in cases of long-standing hypothyroidism, as well as in cases of hypothyroidism whose problem lies in the thyroid gland itself (e.g. loss of function in Hashimoto’s disease; primary hypothyroidism).
TSH is decreased in processes that are subject to dysfunction in the brain. The affected areas of the brain are the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus. They are the hormone production sites of the brain.
TreatmentTherapy
The treatment is simple – the missing hormones are supplied from outside. Depending on whether and how much residual function the thyroid gland still has, the dosage is adjusted. The dosage is taken for life.
Name of the preparation is L-thyroxine, which corresponds to the T4 of the body. Regularly (every six months) it should be checked whether the medication is adjusted correctly. This is done by determining TSH in the blood.
Duration and prognosis
With good cooperation of the patient and regular check-ups, the patients have no or little disadvantages in life and health. Complications arise from increased or decreased intake of L-thyroxine. In elderly or mentally retarded people the correct intake of tablets should therefore be monitored.
