About Thyroiditis Test :
A thyroiditis profile is a group of tests used to diagnose thyroiditis. These include total (T3, T4 and TSH), anti-thyroglobulin (anti-TG) and anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) tests.
Inflammation of the thyroid gland is called thyroiditis. This condition can arise due to less or more production of thyroid hormones.
The thyroid gland is located in the lower part of the neck. It is a butterfly-shaped gland and produces hormones that help with metabolism.
Some possible causes of thyroiditis include infection or side effects of radiation or medications. Thyroiditis can be genetic or can be in the form of an autoimmune disorder in which the body starts attacking itself.
Types of Thyroiditis Test :
Hashimoto's thyroiditis: This is an autoimmune condition that affects more women than men. This condition occurs when the immune system starts attacking the thyroid cells. Because of this, hypothyroidism occurs and thyroid replacement therapy is given for its treatment.
Silent thyroiditis: This is the second most common type of thyroiditis. This is also an autoimmune disease which occurs on the presence of anti-thyroid antibodies in the body.
Post-partum thyroiditis: This autoimmune condition is rare and can appear in women after delivery.
Drug-induced thyroiditis: Certain drugs such as lithium, cytokines, interferons, and amiodarone can cause this type of thyroiditis in some people.
Radiation induced thyroiditis: This type of thyroiditis can be caused by radiation used to treat cancer or radioactive iodine used to treat hyperthyroidism.
Acute thyroiditis or suppurative thyroiditis: This is rare and is caused by bacterial or infectious organisms.
Subacute thyroiditis or De Quervain's thyroiditis: This is a painful condition that appears a few weeks after a viral infection.
Thyroiditis can be diagnosed with a series of blood tests that measure the amount of thyroid hormone, TSH, and antibodies in the body, such as:
T3 (triodothyronine) test: This test measures the level of T3 in the blood. T3 is free (not attached to anything) and bound (attached to proteins). Total T3 level includes both bound and free T3.
T4 (thyroxine) test: This is a blood test that measures the T4 level in the body. Like T3, T4, it also occurs in bound and free form. It is also produced by the thyroid gland along with T3. T4 total consists of both free and bound. T4, along with T3, regulates metabolism and controls processes such as body temperature, brain development, heart function, and breathing.
TSH test: This test measures the level of thyroid stimulating hormone in the blood. The pituitary gland located in the brain makes TSH hormone. This hormone is responsible for controlling the level of thyroid hormones in the body. If the thyroid gland starts making too many thyroid hormones, the pituitary gland reduces the amount of TSH, which decreases the level of thyroid hormones. When thyroid hormones are too low, the pituitary produces more TSH, which stimulates the thyroid gland to increase the production of thyroid hormones.
Anti-TPO antibody test: This test checks the level of antibodies against the enzyme thyroid peroxidase. Thyroid peroxidase helps in making T3 and T4 in the thyroid gland. Hypothyroidism is caused by a deficiency of thyroid peroxidase.
Anti-Tg antibody test: This is a blood test that is done to detect the level of antibodies against thyroglobulin, a protein produced by the thyroid gland. Thyroglobulin plays an important role in the storage and production of thyroid hormones.
Why is thyroiditis test done?
Preparation before the test - Preparation before Thyroiditis Test
How is the test done - Thyroiditis test karne ka tarika
Lab Test Results and Normal Range
Why is thyroiditis test done?
If symptoms of thyroiditis are present, the doctor may prescribe thyroiditis profile test.
There are three stages of thyroiditis:
Thyrotoxic phase: Hormones are released more due to inflammation in the thyroid .
Hypothyroid phase: Low secretion of thyroid hormones due to the initial high release of hormones for a few months or weeks.
Euthyroid Phase: Thyroid hormone level becomes normal. This phase can occur between the thyrotoxic phase and the hypothyroid phase or after the gland has recovered from thyroiditis.
Symptoms can vary according to the type and phase of thyroiditis.
Hyperthyroid phase: This usually lasts for one to three months. Due to the damage to the cells in this phase, thyroid hormone starts to be produced in excess. Its symptoms are:
fatigue
increased appetite
to worry
irritability
profuse sweating and heat intolerance
heart palpitations
weight loss
trouble sleeping
worry and anxiety
have seizures
Hypothyroid phase: This stage is seen more. It lasts for a long time and can also be permanent. If thyroid hormone levels drop due to cell damage, the following symptoms may appear:
unnecessary weight gain
fatigue
depression
Constipation
dry skin
having trouble concentrating
Preparation before the test - Preparation before Thyroiditis Test
Fasting may be required before the test. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, have an acute or chronic illness , or are under a lot of stress.
Tell your doctor about any medicines you are taking. This includes vitamins, supplements, herbs, over-the-counter medicines, and illegal drugs.
Thyroid medication can affect the T3 and anti-TG antibodies test and medications such as steroids, contraceptives, and anti-seizure drugs can affect T3 and T4 test results. Phenytoin, dopamine, phenothiazines, and glucocorticoids can affect TSH test results.
Eating foods that are high in iodine, such as seaweed, can also affect the result of a T3 test.
How is the test done - Thyroiditis test karne ka tarika
Thyroid profile test is done by taking a blood sample. Blood will be drawn from a vein in the arm in the following manner.
The lab technician will put a band on your arm and clean the area where the needle is to be inserted with an antiseptic solution.
Now we will take out some blood by inserting the needle into the vein. A slight sting may be felt because of the needle.
After taking the sample, we will take out the band.
After this, the blood will be put in a labeled bottle and sent to the lab for testing.
Most blood tests are safe, however, some patients may feel dizzy or lightheaded after the test. Bruising may also occur at the needle site. There is nothing to worry about in this. Tell your doctor if the needle doesn't heal or if there is an infection at the needle site.
Lab Test Results and Normal Range
Normal result:
Total T3: 75 to 195 nanograms per deciliter
Total T4: 4.6 to 11.2 micrograms per deciliter
TSH: 0.5 to 5 microunits per ml, this test is usually done in the morning as its value can change as the day progresses.
Anti-Tg antibodies: 0 to 4.0 international units per ml
Anti-TPO antibodies: 0 to 9.0 international units per milliliter
Abnormal result:
These test results are approximate and may vary from lab to lab. If your test values are not in the normal range, it does not necessarily mean that you have a thyroid disorder.
If the T3 level is too high, the following conditions may occur:
T3 thyrotoxicosis (rare)
taking thyroid medications or certain supplements
an overactive thyroid gland (such as Graves' disease)
liver disease
If the T3 level is below normal, it may indicate the following:
Thyroiditis (the most common type is Hashimoto's disease)
be hungry
underactive thyroid gland
If your T4 level is higher than normal, it could be hyperthyroidism. If your level is less than normal, it could be hypothyroidism .
High TSH can mean hypothyroidism. The following conditions can occur when the TSH level is low:
graves disease
toxic nodular goiter
too much iodine
If anti-TG antibodies are found in the blood, your result is positive. This may happen in the following situations:
Hashimoto's thyroiditis
subacute thyroiditis
graves disease
underactive thyroid gland
If anti-TPO antibodies are in the blood, you may have Hashimoto's thyroiditis.