If you’ve been feeling run down, gaining weight, and having trouble with your focus and energy levels, you need to be concerned. You may be one of the millions of Americans suffering from a thyroid disorder. Thyroid disorders can be incredibly disruptive to everyday life and often go undiagnosed for years. But there is good news: thyroid disorders are manageable when you visit a Humble thyroid disorder specialist in Humble, Texas. There are a variety of tests that can diagnose thyroid disorders. Let’s learn more.

• Blood Tests

Thyroid blood tests tell if your thyroid gland functions correctly by measuring the number of thyroid hormones in your blood. The most common thyroid blood tests are the TSH and T4 tests. The TSH test measures the amount of thyroid-stimulating hormone in your blood. The T4 test measures the amount of thyroxine in your blood. The TSH and T4 tests are used to help diagnose thyroid disorders such as:

1. Hashimoto’s disease
2. Graves’ disease
3. Thyroiditis
4. Hypothyroidism
5. Hyperthyroidism

Other tests that may be used to diagnose thyroid disorders include thyroid antibodies tests. These tests measure the number of antibodies in your blood associated with autoimmune thyroid diseases such as Hashimoto’s disease and Graves’ disease. These tests can help your doctor determine the best course of treatment for you.

2. Imaging Tests

Imaging tests, such as a thyroid ultrasound or a thyroid scan, may also be used to help diagnose thyroid disorders. A thyroid ultrasound is used to create an image of the thyroid gland. This test can help your doctor determine if there are any abnormalities in the size or shape of the thyroid gland. A thyroid scan is used to measure the amount of iodine uptake in the thyroid gland. This test can help your doctor determine if there is an overactive or underactive thyroid gland.

3. Physical Exam

Your doctor may also perform a physical exam to look for any abnormalities in the thyroid gland. They will feel your neck for any enlarged thyroid glands and listen to your heart and lungs to make sure they are functioning normally.

A doctor will also guide you on the lifestyle adjustments to make. Some of these adjustments may include:

1. Eating a healthy diet
2. Exercising regularly
3. Getting enough sleep
4. Managing stress
5. Avoiding exposure to radiation

Treatments for Thyroid Problems

The treatment for thyroid disorders depends on the type of disorder you have. Hypothyroidism is usually treated with synthetic thyroid hormone replacement therapy. This therapy replaces the missing thyroid hormone in your body and helps restore your thyroid function.

Hyperthyroidism is usually treated with medications that help control the overactive thyroid gland. Whereas autoimmune thyroid diseases, such as Hashimoto’s disease and Graves’ disease, are treated with medications that help suppress the immune system. Thyroid cancer is treated with surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.

If you feel run down, gain weight, and have trouble with your focus and energy levels, it may be because of a thyroid disorder. Thyroid disorders can go undiagnosed for years, but they are manageable when diagnosed correctly. The tests used to diagnose these conditions range from blood work to imaging scans which should help identify the type of condition. Treatment for thyroid disorder will depend on the kind of condition you have.