Making a Diagnosis for Hyperthyrodism

MAKING A DIAGNOSIS

If your doctor suspects you may have hyperthyroidism due to Graves'disease, he or she will probably investigate the following:

Your Personal and Family :

Health History : Thyroid disorders can often be hereditary. If your have a family member, like your mother or father, an aunt or uncle, or your brother or sister, who has a thyroid disorder (especially if it is autoimmune), your chance of developing one may be higher.

Your Likelihood of Developing Graves'Disease

Some individuals are more likely than other to develop Graves'disease. You are at an increased risk if you:

01. Are woman, 30 years or older.

02. Are pregnant or have given birth in the last 6 months*

03. Have other autoimmune conditions, such as :

(a) Addison's disease

(b) Type 1 diabetes

(c) Pernicious anemia

(d) Rheumatoid arthritis

(e) Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE OR lupus)

*Note : If you've had a baby in the past 6 months, your may be at a higher risk for developing hyperthyroidism due to autoimmune thyroid disease.

Your Physical Condition

(1) Your doctor will probably give you a physical exam to look for the sings and symptoms of hyperthyroidism due to Grave's disease

(2) In particular, there is one very reliable sign that your doctor will look for: enlargement of the thyroid gland, which is called a goiter. A goiter is a common physical sign of thyroid disorder. Your doctor will examine your neck, pressing on, or palpating, the area where your thyroid is located in order to determine if a goiter is present. Your doctor will also examine your thyroid gland to determine if there are thyroid nodules present. Thyroid nodules are lumps in the thyroid gland that can result in too much thyroid hormone in your bloodstream. Sometimes, but very rarely, nodules can be cancerous.

(3) In addition, your weight, blood presure, and pulse will be measured.

(4) Your doctor may examine your eyes, skin, heart, and nervous system, as well. All of these systems are affected by hyperthyroidism.

Your Laboratory Results

Your doctor will likely order blood tests to find out how your thyroid gland is functioning. The best single test is the TSH test. If your TSH level is lower than normal, it is very likely that you have hyperthyroidism. Your doctor will probably measure your thyroid hormone levels as well, in order to determine the severity of your Hyperthyroidism. If your TSH level is low and your thyroid hormone levels are normal, you may have a mild form of hyperthyroidism, called subclinical hyperthyroidism.

LOW TSH + HIGH TYROID HORMONE LEVELS = HYPERTHYROIDISM