| ent"> The thyroid gland secretes hormones in the | | | | The clinical evaluation of thyroid testing for |
| bloodstream. These hormones, in turn, regulate the | | | | hyperthyroidism usually pertains to the physical exams |
| functions of the organs and the cells inside the body. | | | | conducted by the health expert. The doctor would look |
| The thyroid gland is mainly responsible for the | | | | for signs such as lumps on the neck. The actions of |
| hormones that regulate the body’s metabolic | | | | the thyroid would be listened to using a stethoscope, |
| processes. It controls the way the body burns energy. | | | | along with reflex testing, heart rhythm, blood rate, and |
| What is Hyperthyroidism? | | | | heart rate evaluations. The weight and the body |
| Hyperthyroidism is a condition wherein the thyroid | | | | temperature of the patient will be checked as well. |
| glands fail to work as functionally as designed. It | | | | Further examinations of critical body parts such as the |
| secretes hormones excessively, disrupting the normal | | | | face, eyes, hair, skin, hands, and nails would have to be |
| processes of the body. When this occurs, related | | | | performed as well. |
| health problems show. The most common ones | | | | To further see if the patient is suffering from thyroid |
| associated with hyperthyroidism are Graves’ | | | | problems, blood tests would have to be conducted. |
| disease, goiter, toxic thyroid adenoma, and thyroiditis, | | | | There are different blood tests that should be |
| among others. | | | | performed and these includes the thyroid stimulating |
| Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism | | | | hormone test, free thyroxine, total T3, Reverse T3, |
| Patients suffering from hyperthyroidism usually | | | | and thyroid receptor antibodies, among others. |
| manifest signs such as: | | | | Thyroid imaging tests are also crucial so that the |
| 1. Nervousness | | | | disease can be determined easily. There are different |
| 2. Palpitations | | | | imaging tests available, although only a handful can be |
| 3. Insomnia | | | | used for thyroid testing for hyperthyroidism. These are: |
| 4. Anxiety | | | | 1. Nuclear Scan — this test determines if a |
| 5. Intolerance to heat | | | | person suffers from Graves’ disease. |
| 6. Fatigue | | | | 2. CT Scan — can diagnose large thyroid |
| 7. Weakness | | | | nodules and goiter. |
| 8. Depression | | | | 3. MRI — this test can help doctors evaluate the |
| 9. Tremor | | | | shape and size of the thyroid gland. |
| 10. Sweating | | | | 4. Thyroid ultrasound — can check for lumps, |
| 11. Weight loss problems | | | | nodules, and enlargements in the thyroid area. |
| Thyroid Testing for Hyperthyroidism | | | | Ultrasound can also determine whether the gland is |
| Thyroid testing refers to the medical process of | | | | filled with solid tissue masses or fluid. |
| diagnosing whether a patient is suffering from | | | | Biopsy is another procedure of thyroid testing for |
| hyperthyroidism or any other thyroid conditions. Thyroid | | | | hyperthyroidism. Here, a thin needle will be inserted into |
| testing for hyperthyroidism includes clinical evaluation, | | | | the lump. The needle will produce a sample from the |
| blood testing, biopsy, image testing, and the use of | | | | lump and it can be used to further evaluate the |
| other applicable tests. | | | | condition of the patient. |