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Thyrotoxicosis, a clinical state with serious adverse health consequences that results from excess thyroid hormone action in tissues, is often caused by elevated thyroid hormone concentrations. Hyperthyroidism is a form of thyrotoxicosis that results from the overproduction and oversecretion of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) by the thyroid gland. Laboratory testing is required for diagnosis, which is essential for appropriate treatment. Following suggestive findings on an initial evaluation for thyroid disease, additional laboratory testing may be performed to identify the etiology of hyperthyroidism and monitor treatment. This ARUP Consult topic discusses laboratory testing for hyperthyroidism in nonpregnant individuals; for information on testing in pregnancy, see the ARUP Consult Thyroid Disease in Pregnancy topic.
Quick Answers for Clinicians
Hyperthyroidism has many manifestations and may vary in presentation from asymptomatic to severe (eg, thyroid storm), which may pose diagnostic challenges. Common clinical presentations include heat intolerance, palpitations, sweating, tremor, and ocular symptoms. Weight loss with increased appetite may occur, along with neuromuscular and psychiatric symptoms. Signs of Graves disease, an autoimmune cause of hyperthyroidism, include orbitopathy (exophthalmos and/or periorbital edema) and myxedema; goiter may be present. Accurate diagnosis and identification of the etiology of hyperthyroidism are required to provide the appropriate treatment.
Thyroid storm is potentially life threatening and requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. Because a delay in treatment may result in death, thyroid storm is typically diagnosed by the presence of severe symptoms, such as hyperpyrexia and cardiovascular dysfunction. Waiting for laboratory test results to initiate treatment is not recommended, but laboratory tests should be performed to obtain biochemical evidence of hyperthyroidism (low thyroid-stimulating hormone [TSH], elevated free thyroxine [T4] and triiodothyronine [T3] concentrations).
Indications for Testing
Laboratory testing for hyperthyroidism is appropriate in individuals with:
- Signs or symptoms of hyperthyroidism
- A family history of autoimmune thyroiditis
- Thyroid nodules
Laboratory testing may also be used to monitor the progression of disease and to guide treatment. This ARUP Consult topic discusses laboratory testing for hyperthyroidism in nonpregnant individuals; for information on testing in pregnancy, see the ARUP Consult Thyroid Disease in Pregnancy topic.
Laboratory Testing
Diagnosis
Initial Evaluation
Hyperthyroidism is typically marked by low thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH, or thyrotropin) concentrations. After an abnormal TSH result, a serum free T4 test is recommended. If the free T4 concentration is low or normal, but strong suspicion for hyperthyroidism persists, a total T3 measurement is recommended. Overt hyperthyroidism is characterized by a low TSH concentration with elevated T3 and/or T4 concentrations, whereas subclinical hyperthyroidism is characterized by a low TSH concentration with normal T3 and T4 results.
For more information on thyroid function tests in hyperthyroidism, see the ARUP Consult Initial Evaluation of Thyroid Function topic.
Autoantibody Tests
Autoantibody testing is useful to distinguish autoimmune thyroiditis from other etiologies of thyroid disease. For example, TSH receptor autoantibody (TRAb) testing can be used to distinguish between Graves disease and other forms of hyperthyroidism. For more information on other thyroid autoantibodies and autoantibody testing in thyroid disease, see the ARUP Consult Autoimmune Thyroiditis topic.
Other Tests and Procedures
A radioactive iodine uptake test and scan can be used to differentiate between etiologies of thyroid disease in nonpregnant adults. Ultrasound may be a safe and cost-effective alternative to radioactive testing; it is recommended in amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis, lactation, and pregnancy (see the ARUP Consult Thyroid Disease in Pregnancy topic). Otherwise, routine ultrasound is not recommended in patients with abnormal thyroid function tests unless there is a palpable thyroid abnormality.
Fine needle aspiration (FNA) is recommended in patients with severe thyroid pain and systemic symptoms to investigate the potential etiology of thyroid disease. FNA is also used to assess suspected thyroid cancer (see the ARUP Consult Thyroid Cancer topic).
Treatment Monitoring
Thionamides
Before the administration of thionamide (antithyroid) medications (eg, methimazole and propylthiouracil) for hyperthyroidism, a CBC and hepatic panel are recommended. Free T4 and total T3 measurements are recommended 4 weeks after starting therapy with thionamide, every 4-8 weeks until both free T4 and total T3 concentrations have normalized, and every 3 months thereafter. TSH testing is not useful early in the course of treatment, given that concentrations may remain suppressed, but should be performed at 12-18 months to determine whether TSH has normalized and treatment can be discontinued. An elevated TSH concentration at the time of treatment discontinuation is associated with an increased probability of remission. A CBC is recommended if pharyngitis or a fever develops while the patient is taking antithyroid medication. Thyroid function testing to monitor for recurrence is recommended every 1-2 months for 6-12 months after discontinuation of antithyroid medication.
Radioactive Iodine Ablation
Free T4 and total T3 testing is recommended 4-8 weeks after radioactive iodine ablation (eg, as treatment for Graves disease). If hyperthyroidism persists, free T4 and total T3 tests are recommended every 4-6 weeks.
ARUP Laboratory Tests
Quantitative Electrochemiluminescent Immunoassay (ECLIA)
Quantitative Electrochemiluminescent Immunoassay (ECLIA)
Quantitative Electrochemiluminescent Immunoassay
Semi-Quantitative Chemiluminescent Immunoassay
For more information on autoantibody testing in hyperthyroidism, see the ARUP Consult Autoimmune Thyroiditis topic.
References
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Ross DS, Burch HB, Cooper DS, et al. 2016 American Thyroid Association guidelines for diagnosis and management of hyperthyroidism and other causes of thyrotoxicosis. Thyroid. 2016;26(10):1343-1421.
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Kravets I. Hyperthyroidism: diagnosis and treatment. Am Fam Physician. 2016;93(5):363-370.
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Garber JR, Cobin RH, Gharib H, et al. Clinical practice guidelines for hypothyroidism in adults: cosponsored by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and the American Thyroid Association. Endocr Pract. 2012;18(6):988-1028.
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Sweeney LB, Stewart C, Gaitonde DY. Thyroiditis: an integrated approach. Am Fam Physician. 2014;90(6):389-396.
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AAFP - choosing wisely recommendations, thyroid ultrasound
American Academy of Family Physicians. Choosing Wisely recommendations: Don’t routinely order a thyroid ultrasound in patients with abnormal thyroid function tests if there is no palpable abnormality of the thyroid gland. Accessed Jun 2023.
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Menconi F, Marcocci C, Marinò M. Diagnosis and classification of Graves' disease. Autoimmun Rev. 2014;13(4-5):398-402.
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Vaidya B, Pearce SH. Diagnosis and management of thyrotoxicosis. BMJ. 2014;349:g5128.
For more information on thyroid function testing, see the ARUP Consult Initial Evaluation for Thyroid Disease topic.