If you are interested in how to test for thyroid problems you should know that many different tests can be used to reach a diagnosis.

These could include clinical evaluation, biopsies, imaging tests, blood tests, and other tests.

Clinical evaluation and testing for thyroid problems

This is one of the key elements in making the right diagnosis. The evaluation should be conducted by a professional.

In order to reach the diagnosis the practitioner should feel or palpitate the neck, test your reflexes, listen to the thyroid with the help of a stethoscope, measure your weight and check your heart rhythm, blood pressure and heart rate.

how-to-test-for-thyroid-problemsSome other ‘tests’ that he or she could perform as thyroid problems testing include examining your eyes and face, examining your skin, hands and nails, look at the general quality and quantity of your hair and he or she should also review some other specific signs.

Thyroid blood tests

There are different kinds of tests that could be performed when asking how to test for thyroid problems.

These include thyroid stimulating hormone or TSH test, total thyroxine test, free thyroxine test, total triiodothyronine test, free triiodothyronine test, TBG test, T3RU test and reverse T3.

Naturally there are some other kinds of screening for thyroid problems like thyroid peroxidase antibodies, antithyroid microsomal antibodies test, thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins and thyroid receptor antibodies test.

Thyroid imaging test

There are different kinds of screening tests that can be used. Such tests include nuclear scan.

This can tell if you have Grave’s disease, thyroiditis or toxic multinodular goiter. Another imaging test is the CT scan that can help to diagnose goiter and larger than normal thyroid nodules.

Another option for thyroid problem screening is having an MRI. This way the doctors can evaluate the shape and the size of the thyroid. It is also possible to have a thyroid ultrasound. This is meant to evaluate the lumps, nodules and the enlargement of the gland. The advantage of the ultrasound is that it can tell if the nodule is filled with fluids, solid tissue or mass.

Thyroid biopsy

In case you are asking how to test for thyroid problems you should also know about this option. It is also known as needle biopsy and it can be used to evaluate the cold nodules or lumps. During the procedure there is a needle inserted in the lump and a sample is withdrawn. This is evaluated for cancer.

The good news about this kind of thyroid disease test is that it is efficient and effective in about 75% of the cases, providing an accurate result. The samples withdrawn with the help of this method can also show if the cells indicate Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

Now you know the answer to the question how to test for thyroid problems and you know that you have several different testing and screening possibilities if you are faced with a problem of this kind.