When to do a thyroid test?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was written by MSc Do Thi Hoang Ha - Doctor of Biochemistry, Laboratory Department - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.

Thyroid plays many important roles in the body so doctors recommend whenever you see symptoms such as discomfort in the neck, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, persistent cough, enlarged neck, pulse and heart palpitations.. get a thyroid test ASAP.

1. Structure and role of the thyroid gland in the body

Thyroid is an important endocrine gland of the body, synthesizing two important hormones from iodine and tyrosin, T4 (thyroxin) and T3 (tri-iodo-thyronin), these two thyroid hormones have the same but different functions. in intensity and duration of action. T3 is about 4 times more potent than T4, but in small amounts in the blood and for a much shorter time than T4 (about 93% of the hormone secreted by the thyroid gland is T4, only 7% is T3). In addition, the thyroid gland also secretes Calcitonin, which helps increase the absorption of calcium from the blood into the bones. The thyroid gland is made up of two types of cells: Follicular cells whose main component is thyroglobulin, which contains iodine and is an important substrate for the binding of iodine to tyrosin in the synthesis of thyroid hormone. Follicular cells are the synthesis and secretion units of thyroid hormones T3 and T4. Pericapular cells (C cells): secrete calcitonin. The roles of thyroid hormones in the body include:
Helps to increase the transcription of a large number of genes in the body, making large amounts of enzyme proteins, structural proteins, carrier proteins and others in all cells of the body. Increase the metabolic activity of cells: when a large amount of thyroid hormone is secreted, it will increase the basal metabolic rate of the body. Increases children's body development, brain development in the fetal period and the first years after birth. Effects on glucose metabolism, lipids, vitamin requirements and body weight. The effect on the circulatory system increases blood flow and cardiac output. Effects on respiratory, digestive, central nervous system and muscle functions Increases secretion of other endocrine hormones (increases blood glucose, stimulates pancreas to secrete more insulin, increases metabolic activity) bone formation increases the need for parathyroid hormone). Effects on sexual function (hyperthyroidism causes impotence in men, hypothyroidism causes loss of sexual ability; female hyperthyroidism causes oligomenorrhea, amenorrhea, hypothyroidism causes menorrhagia, loss of sexual ability). Because the thyroid gland plays an important role in many types of metabolism of the body, thyroid-related diseases such as goiter, basedow goiter, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism,... all seriously affect health. healthy patient.

2. When to do a thyroid test?

Thyroid plays many important roles in the body so doctors recommend whenever you see symptoms such as discomfort in the neck, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, persistent cough, enlarged neck, pulse and heart palpitations.. get a thyroid test ASAP.
For those who have had a history of thyroid disease, it is recommended to go to the doctor and have a thyroid test every 6 months. When you come to the thyroid exam, you will be clinically examined and asked to do some ultrasound and endocrine tests to help screen and detect thyroid diseases early.

3. What types of thyroid tests are included?

When visiting a doctor, each patient with different symptoms will be asked to perform different tests. Some of the commonly ordered thyroid tests are as follows:
Thyroid ultrasound: uses sound waves to visualize the thyroid gland, including the location and size of thyroid nodules. Blood test: is the most effective and easiest method, most commonly used today to evaluate thyroid function. Tests commonly used to evaluate thyroid function are: + TSH, FT3, FT4, T3, T4 (used to diagnose hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism). TSH is a pituitary hormone that controls the secretion of thyroid hormones FT3, T3, FT4, T4 produced by thyroid cells by regulating the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis. .
+ Some anti-thyroid antibodies such as Anti TPO, Anti Tg, TRAb (TSH Receptor Antibody) are used to diagnose some autoimmune diseases of the thyroid gland.
+ Thyroglobulin (Tg) and Calcitonin are used to diagnose thyroid cancer
There are also other in-depth tests to evaluate thyroid function including iodine concentration testing, scintigraphy, and biopsies. thyroid gland. Thyroid biopsy by fine needle aspiration cytology is indicated when there is suspicion of thyroid nodule with malignant cells.

4. Notes before conducting a thyroid test

Before the thyroid test, the patient is advised to rest well before the test day, not to drink alcohol and alcohol, stimulants such as coffee. Limit your intake of a high-protein diet.
Vinmec International General Hospital is one of the hospitals that not only ensures professional quality with a team of leading medical doctors, modern equipment and technology, but also stands out for its examination and consultation services. comprehensive and professional medical consultation and treatment; civilized, polite, safe and sterile medical examination and treatment space. Customers when choosing to perform tests here can be completely assured of the accuracy of test results.
Customers can directly go to Vinmec Health system nationwide to visit or contact the hotline here for support.