The diagnosis of hypothyroidism is made primarily by the clinical picture and laboratory examination.
Optional medical device diagnostics-depending on the results of the history, physical examination, laboratory diagnostics, and obligatory medical device diagnostics-are used for differential diagnosis.
- Thyroid ultrasonography (ultrasonography of the thyroid gland) – to visualize the size of the thyroid gland and to detect any nodules present [often Hashimoto’s thyroiditis: reduced thyroid gland with sonographically homogeneous, low-echo inferior pattern].
- Thyroid scintigraphy (imaging of the thyroid gland and its function using radioactive substances) – if metabolically active nodules are suspected.
- Fine needle biopsy (sonography-guided tissue sampling) – in case of abnormalities in thyroid scintigraphy.