Because there are around 15-million people diagnosed with thyroid conditions in the United States, both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, it is a common condition and one of the reasons why the ATA recommends screening be carried out. If you have a history of thyroid disease in your family your doctor is likely to screen you as you get older or when you go for a medical checkup.
Your doctor will order blood tests to measure the amount of thyroid hormone in your body. Thyroid hormone is required to maintain the body’s metabolic functions, and tests will determine whether your levels are normal, underactive or overactive.
In the body, the thyroid gland uses iodine, which we get from our daily diets, to produce the hormones required to regulate the body’s metabolism. The most significant hormones are T4 (thyroxine) and T3 (triiodothyronine). T3 is the hormone that undergoes the most biological activity and is created from a conversion process that makes use of T4. So, in order for the body to have enough T3, it must first be manufacturing enough T4. T3 regulates the metabolic activity of cells throughout the body.
Your doctor is also likely to test your hypothalamus and pituitary gland if he suspects a problem with thyroid hormone production because both of these glands play an important role in the manufacturing process. Thyroid stimulating hormone is released by the pituitary gland, which tells the thyroid how much to make. The pituitary gland is stimulated by the hypothalamus, which produced thyrotropin releasing hormone, so your doctor needs to check that each process is functioning optimally before prescribing any medication.
Because you may need a series of tests to determine the underlying cause of a thyroid problem, low cost medical care in Las Vegas can ensure the process, and the treatment you are given, are effective and affordable.