Thyroid Disease Testing

Last Literature Review: December 2020 Last Update:

Thyroid disease refers to any dysfunction of the thyroid gland. This dysfunction may be due to a variety of etiologies, including autoimmune processes (eg, Graves disease, Hashimoto disease), thyroid cancer, specific drugs (eg, amiodarone, kinase inhibitors, lithium), viral infection, or iodine deficiency, among other causes.   Thyroid disease is classified as hypothyroidism (insufficient thyroid hormone) or hyperthyroidism (excess thyroid hormone).   Because the clinical signs and symptoms of thyroid disease are nonspecific, laboratory testing is required for diagnosis. Accurate diagnosis is required for appropriate treatment.   Laboratory testing for thyroid disease in pregnancy is particularly challenging, and testing recommendations differ from those for nonpregnant patients.  The preferred initial test for thyroid disease is thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) with reflex to free thyroxine (free T4) testing. Results from these tests are used to guide additional testing.

Initial Evaluation of Thyroid Function

Analytical Considerations in the Evaluation of Thyroid Function

Hypothyroidism

Thyrotoxicosis - Hyperthyroidism

Thyroid Disease in Pregnancy

Autoimmune Thyroiditis

Thyroid Nodules

Thyroid Cancer

Medical Experts

Contributor

References