Tests for Hypothyroid

[nicolesweeney]

I recently had a some blood work done to test for hypothyroid. When I got the results back, I saw that the test used to test my thyroid was a thyroglobulin test. I am somewhat acquainted with thyroid testing and thyroid health due to my husband's recent diagnosis of hyperthyroid. So, I am somewhat confused as to why a thyroglobulin test would be used to test for hypothyroid rather than testing of the levels of TSH and T3. Isn't testing for TSH and T3 standard for testing of thyroid issues? Thank you for your help.

[nicolesweeney]

Thank you, very much, Dr. Lupo and ChronicFatigue. I appreciate your responses. So, what I am understanding from these responses is that, thryoglubulin may be okay to check for Hashimoto's, but, generally speaking, this is not the best test to use to check for hypothyroid. Is it correct to say that, in general, testing of T3 and TSH is the best way to test for hypothryoid? Should I ask for these tests to make sure that I have had thorough testing done?

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

A thyroglobulin level should not be used to diagnose hypothyroidism.  A thyroglobulin-antibody may help support a diagnosis of Hashimoto's, but the TPO antibody is more specific.  

[ChronicFatigue]

P.S. More information
You didn't menation your age...but occurs more frequently in 40's (my friend's wife has it, lives a COMPLETELY NORMAL life---just takes meds---it's not a disorder to be "alarmed" about or lose sleep over..

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Hashimoto's thyroiditis:
http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/conditions/hashimoto.html

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is the most common form of thyroiditis and the most frequent cause of hypothyroidism.

About 1 in 1,000 to 50 in 1,000 people will develop this disease at some time in their life. This disorder occurs most commonly in women over the age of 40.
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See the Links Page for Hashimoto's hyroiditis in Women....

http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/conditions/hashimoto-4.html


2006 January). Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. Womenshealth.gov [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.4woman.gov/faq/hashimoto.htm through http://www.4woman.gov.

(Hashimoto’s disease). MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000371.htm.
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[ChronicFatigue]

I AM *NOT* a Doctor, but "just a hunch"--since you are a female, he might be going down a road to see if you have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis

See "LabTestsOnline" Description of the Test he ran...
http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/thyroid_antibodies/test.html

FYI!!!! DO NOT!!!! Be concerned if you see discussion or "cancer or tumor"---it's very rare this would be the case---actually I was reluctant to send you this link (for fear you might see that---and have a sleepless night)...so DO NOT WORRY--"out of the gate"--that would be VERY RARE...(almost inconceivable).

However, the thyroglobulin test.tests for Hashimoto's which presents in women, I think at a rate 3x more often than men (Hashimoto's *I THINK* is the "Most common" form of a Thyroid Disorder in a Woman).

Mayo Clinic Info
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hashimotos-disease/DS00567/DSECTION=causes
Quote:Hashimoto's disease is most common in middle-aged women and tends to run in families.