How to Test for Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is a condition where the thyroid, the gland responsible for regulating the body's metabolism, goes into overdrive and produces too much thyroid hormone. As a result, heart and respiration rate may increase, and pronounced sweating may ensue. Thankfully, diagnosing hyperthyroidism is a matter of a simple test. Further, hyperthyroidism is easily treatable. If you exhibit one or more symptoms of this metabolic disorder, then you should learn how to test for hyperthyroidism.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Doctor's appointment
• List of symptoms

Learn How to Test for Hyperthyroidism

1. Be familiar with the common symptoms of hyperthyroidism, such as unexplained weight loss accompanied by extreme hunger, increased sweating and/or an intolerance to heat, irritability, rapid heart beat or breathing, general hyperactivity and mild tremoring of the hands or fingers.

2. About 95 percent of hyperthyroidism cases are due to Grave's Disease, an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system launches an attack against the thyroid gland and stimulates it to endlessly produce thyroxine (T4) and its byproduct, triiodothyronine (T3).

3. Expect to have a blood test to check for thyroid function. This simple test will measure the amount of T4 and T3 levels. If the amounts are found to be high, then hyperthyroidism is indicated.

4. Have your doctor check your blood levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). Lower-than-normal ranges suggest hyperthyroidism.

5. Discuss the usefulness of having a radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU) test with your doctor. By assessing the amount of radioactive iodine uptake by the thyroid, your doctor can determine if the entire gland is overactive or only parts of it.

6. Follow up with a consultation with a endocrinologist if you receive a confirmed diagnosis of hyperthyroidism.

Tips & Warnings

• Approximately one in 500 women may experience hyperthyroidism during pregnancy. If treated, the pregnancy can expect to proceed normally without long-term effects on the mother or child.
• Other factors can contribute to hyperthyroidism, including certain medications. The heart medication Amiodarone, for instance, stimulates excessive thyroid hormone production.
• Hyperthyroidism is easily treated with either anti-thyroid drugs or radioactive iodine (known as radioiodine) or by its elemental correspondent of 131I.
• In severe cases of hyperthyroidism that do not respond to conventional medications, surgery to remove part or even most of the thyroid may be indicated.
• Hyperthyroidism, when left unchecked, is associated with serious complications. These include hyperthyroid eye disease, in which the eyes protrude. Hyperthyroid eye disease occurs in about 30 percent of Grave's Disease patients.
• Hyperthyroidism and Grave's Disease tends to run in families.

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