A healthy thyroid gland is important for optimal functioning of the entire organism. Thyroid hormones affect many metabolic processes:
- Body growth
- Body weight
- Skin and hair
- Musculature
- Nervous system
- Endocrine system – e.g. prolactin secretion.
Thyroid diseases are very common and occur not only clustered in old age, but also in childhood and adolescence. Germany is an iodine deficiency area. Every third citizen lives with pathological changes in the thyroid gland.
Thyroid diagnostics include laboratory tests, thyroid sonography and thyroid scintigraphy.
Procedures
Laboratory tests for thyroid diagnosis involve the determination of the following parameters:
- TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone).
- T3 (triiodothyronine)
- T4 (thyroxine), thyroxine-binding globulin.
- TRH test
- Thyroid antibodies such as the TSH receptor antibody (TRAK), the antibody against thyroglobulin (TAK) or the antibody against thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPAK) – these are examined when thyroid dysfunction such as hypo- or hyperthyroidism (hypo- or hyperthyroidism) is suspected.
- Thyroglobulin (TG) – is determined in thyroid cancer or certain thyroid dysfunction.
- Calcitonin – is determined in thyroid carcinoma.
- Iodine determination in urine – is performed when iodine contamination is suspected.
- Parathyroid hormone – lowered values may be present in hyperthyroidism (hyperthyroidism).
Furthermore, thyroid sonography (ultrasound) is performed during thyroid diagnostics. It is indicated (indicated) when a thyroid disease is suspected.
Thyroid scintigraphy is a nuclear medicine examination method in which the metabolic activity of the thyroid gland is displayed with the help of radiopharmaceuticals.
The examination is required for the following health risks or diseases:
- Thyroid nodules
- Suspected hyperthyroidism (hyperthyroidism) with autonomic areas.
Thyroid screening is recommended for:
- Enlargement of the thyroid gland
- Palpable nodules in the thyroid region.
- Painful change in the thyroid gland
- Exophthalmos – protrusion of the eyeball from the orbit.
- Suspicion of hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland).
- Individuals who complain of the following symptoms: feeling cold all the time, weight gain, hair loss, constipation, fatigue, sluggishness, listlessness, depression
- Suspicion of hyperthyroidism (hyperthyroidism).
- Individuals complaining of the following symptoms: weight loss, restlessness, feeling hot, nervousness, hair loss – hair becomes thinner and finer – diarrhea or soft stools
- Desire to have children
Benefit
Thyroid diagnostics offers you the possibility of early detection of thyroid disease.
Timely therapy can avoid later complications and surgical interventions – keeping you vital and healthy in the future.
