Thyroid Test List & Packages

Thyroid disease is a medical term for a health condition that prevents one’s thyroid from producing the right amount of hormones. Generally, the thyroid produces hormones that ensure one’s body is functioning properly. When there’s an abnormality in the levels of thyroid hormones, it gives rise to different health-related problems and diseases. To diagnose thyroid diseases, it is recommended to book a thyroid test at Max Lab.

Who can get Thyroid Disease?

Usually, women are more prone to thyroid diseases as compared to men, especially if a woman is over 60 years of age. A person, irrespective of age and gender, can get thyroid diseases if they:

• Have low or high levels of iodine in their body
• Have a family history of thyroid problems
• Have a specific medical condition like type 1 diabetes
• Take medicine that is high or low in iodine

It is recommended that these individuals get a thyroid test done after consulting with their doctor. 

Types of Thyroid Disease

There are two main types of thyroid diseases:

Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism occurs when an individual's thyroid gland produces more thyroid hormones than one's body requires. Hyperthyroidism, if left untreated, can lead to serious issues with one's heart, bones, muscles, menstruation, and fertility. Early diagnosis through thyroid tests can help in effective treatment.

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism occurs when your thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones to meet your body's requirements. Newborns and infants are extremely prone to hypothyroidism. Low levels of thyroid hormones in the body at a young age can cause cretinism (learning disability) and dwarfism (growth problem). Thyroid levels are now routinely checked on most infants right after birth. If the thyroid test results found hypothyroidism, treatment will begin right away.

Both of these require timely treatment. So, it is recommended to get a thyroid blood test or thyroid test at home for early diagnosis. You can also book thyroid tests online with Max Lab for quick and accurate test results.

Causes of Thyroid Diseases

The causes of thyroid diseases vary based on the type of thyroid one may have.

For hyperthyroidism

• Graves' disease is an autoimmune condition in which one's immune system attacks the thyroid gland, causing it to produce an excessive amount of thyroid hormones. 
• Thyroid nodules are growths on the thyroid. They are usually harmless (not cancer). However, they can become overactive and produce an excessive amount of thyroid hormone. Thyroid lesions are more common in older people.
• Thyroiditis is an inflammatory condition of the thyroid gland. It causes one's thyroid gland's collected thyroid hormones to leak out.
• Too much iodine. Some medications, cough syrups, seaweed, and seaweed-based pills contain iodine. If you take too many of them, your thyroid will produce too many thyroid hormones.

For hypothyroidism

There are several causes of hypothyroidism. They are as follows:

• Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease in which one's immune system attacks one's thyroid. It's one of the most common reasons.
• Thyroiditis is an inflammatory condition of the thyroid gland.
• Congenital hypothyroidism is a type of hypothyroidism that occurs at birth.
• Thyroid surgery to remove part or all of the thyroid.
• Certain medications.
• In exceptional cases, a pituitary disorder or an excess or deficiency of iodine in your diet.

Symptoms of Thyroid Disease

If one has thyroid disease, one may experience a variety of symptoms. Unfortunately, the symptoms of a thyroid problem are often confused with those of other health conditions and different stages of life. This can make it difficult to determine whether one’s symptoms are due to a thyroid problem or something else completely. The symptoms of thyroid disease can be divided into two categories: those caused by excessive thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism) and those caused by insufficient thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism).

Hyperthyroidism

• Feeling anxiousness, irritability, and nervousness;
• Difficulty in sleeping;
• Weight loss;
• Having an oversized thyroid gland, also known as a goitre;
• Having shaking and muscle weakness;
• Having irregular periods or your menstrual cycle stopping completely;
• Heat sensitivity;
• Experiencing vision issues or eye irritation;

Hypothyroidism

• Fatigue
• Weight gain
• Forgetfulness
• Having heavy and frequent menstrual cycles
• Having rough, dry hair
• Hoarseness of voice
• Having an intolerance to low temperatures

If an individual is experiencing the above-mentioned symptoms, it is recommended to go for a thyroid test or book a thyroid test at home.

Prevention of Thyroid Disease

• Avoid eating processed foods

Many chemicals can interfere with thyroid hormone production. They are on the verge of a thyroid disorder and should avoid all kinds of processed food items.

• Avoid Soy

Soy consumption should be limited because it affects hormone production.

• Quit smoking

Substances released during smoking can cause the thyroid gland to become overly sensitive, leading to thyroid disorders.

• Reduce stress

Stress is a significant contributor to many health problems, which include thyroid disease.

Treatment + Suggested Tests for Thyroid

Hyperthyroidism Treatment

 Antithyroid medications may cause one's thyroid to produce less thyroid hormone. An individual will most likely need to take the medications for 1 to 2 years. In some cases, they may need to take the medications for a long time. This is the most basic treatment, but it is not always effective. Radioiodine therapy is a popular and beneficial hyperthyroidism treatment. It involves ingesting radioactive iodine as either a capsule or liquid. This slowly removes thyroid gland cells that make thyroid hormones. In exceptional cases, surgery is used to remove part or all of the thyroid gland. It could be an effective option for individuals with large goitres or pregnant women who are unable to take antithyroid medications.

Hypothyroidism Treatment

The treatment for hypothyroidism is the medication that replaces the hormone that one's thyroid no longer produces. A blood test will be performed 6 to 8 weeks after one begins taking the medication to determine their thyroid hormone level. If necessary, one's doctor will adjust their dose. They'll have another blood test every time their dose is adjusted. Once they've found the right dose, they'll most likely get a blood test in 3-6 months. After that, the test will be required once a year.

At Max Lab, one can select from a wide range of test panels designed to help monitor the thyroid health of an individual in the most effective manner possible. Our total thyroid profile test include many thyroid tests, such as TSH Test, T3 Test, T4 Test, and others, from which one can select based on what their healthcare professional prescribes and any risk factors they may have. Max Lab offers convenient at-home thyroid test sample collection as well as an affordable online test. Thyroid test reports are available within 24 hours of the collection of samples and can be downloaded from our official site or picked up from the lab itself. Take this report to your healthcare professional who will analyse whether the thyroid test results are in a normal range and recommend further treatment if not.