How to Use Thyroid Tests to Detect Anorexia

Three glands located in the head and neck area all work together to control metabolism, among other functions. The hypothalamus, the pituitary and the thyroid secrete complementary hormones that keep the body burning its fuel at the proper rate. Malnutrition and low body weight caused by anorexia can cause damage to the thyroid, which is signaled by high THS (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone). A doctor performing tests to detect anorexia will use thyroid tests to help confirm the diagnosis.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Doctor's appointment

1. Tell your doctor if you have had any tests done within the last 6 weeks, including scans and X-rays, that involved a radioactive or iodine trace.

2. Ask your doctor which tests he is requesting and what they measure. Some thyroid tests measure TSH, produced by the pituitary, and others measure T3 and T4, produced by the thyroid. Other common tests include a blood count (CBC) for anemia, malnutrition and lack of red or white blood cells. These tests may also reveal a cause for weight loss other than anorexia.

3. Take the test your doctor recommends. It will probably be a standard blood test in which a technician uses a sterile needle to draw blood out of a vein in the arm or hand. The blood is drawn into a vial or vials for testing.

4. Review the results with your doctor to find out if there is or might soon be any damage to the thyroid gland, or to the balance of hormones from the thyroid, pituitary and hypothalamus.

5. Treat your anorexia aggressively if the condition is indicated by the thyroid test. Consider options like counseling, therapy or private hospitalization. Anorexia is a life-threatening disease, and even those who survive it can experience permanent damage to their reproductive or other organs.

Tips & Warnings

• High TSH and low thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) may be the body's compensation for malnutrition. For this reason, doctors will often treat only the anorexia, since thyroid function normalizes as the patient gains weight.

• The TSH test is often included in the standard battery of blood tests meant to detect anorexia which are performed on a single blood sample. A special test may not be necessary.

• You may notice that the drawn blood in the vial looks very dark, closer to purple than red. However, this is not abnormal.

• A test for home use done with only a few drops of blood is available, but it is expensive and intended mostly for those with a thyroid deficiency who must track their TSH regularly.