Thyroid diagnostics includes various procedures to examine the thyroid gland for diseases. Diseases of the thyroid gland can have a significant impact on the well-being of the person affected. Careful thyroid diagnostics are essential for the right treatment. Only with the correct diagnosis can the doctor develop a suitable treatment plan.
Here you will find further information and selected specialists for thyroid diagnostics.
The optimal functioning of the human organism is based, among other things, on a healthy thyroid gland. Thyroid hormones are involved in many metabolic processes.
However,thyroid disorders are widespread and sometimes occur as early as childhood and adolescence. Autoimmune diseases in particular, such as
are becoming increasingly common and usually cause massive disruption to the entire metabolism. If left untreated, they can even lead to serious damage to health.
If a thyroid disorder is suspected, various examinations are necessary. Thyroid diagnostics includes all measures to detect diseases of the organ.
An examination of the thyroid gland is indicated for the following problems:
The thyroid gland is an important organ located at the front of the neck © SciePro | AdobeStock
The following procedures are used as part of thyroid diagnostics:
Diagnostics also include a comprehensive medical history. The doctor will ask you about
The doctor will take a blood sample, which will be analyzed in the laboratory. The following parameters are determined:
The following values are used for the early detection of possible complications that may result from thyroid disease:
Ultrasound(sonography) plays an important role in thyroid diagnostics. This imaging procedure shows possible structural changes in the organ if a thyroid disease is suspected.
The examination is carried out using a high-frequency transducer and is completely painless.
Thyroid sonography allows the doctor to
can be precisely assessed. Even an inflammation of the thyroid gland can be well visualized by ultrasound.
Scintigraphy is a nuclear medicine procedure in which radioactively labeled iodine is used.
Thyroid scintigraphy is used to rule out thyroid cancer. It also provides information about the storage of nuclides in individual areas of the thyroid gland and the overall performance of the organ. Thyroid scintigraphy can therefore also show the structure of the thyroid gland.
Sometimes a so-called suppression scintigraphy is carried out afterwards. This checks the hormonal control circuit of the pituitary gland. By administering thyroid hormones, the doctor artificially creates a short-term hyperthyroidism. As a result, the release of TSH decreases and the scintigram shows a reduced uptake of radionuclides by the normal thyroid tissue.
Fine needle aspiration is a gentle way of removing tissue from the thyroid gland.
In this examination method, the doctor uses a small, very thin needle to remove a small amount of thyroid tissue directly through the skin. The procedure is almost painless and only takes a few seconds.
To prevent bruising, which can be accompanied by a feeling of pressure, it is very important to apply good compression after the puncture. Fine needle puncture can be performed with ultrasound support if it is not possible to fix the node to be punctured with the finger.
The removed tissue is then applied to a glass plate. A pathologist examines the cells using a microscope.
As a rule, the diagnostic procedures already mentioned are sufficient. Only rarely are further imaging procedures used.
If a large goitre has formed, the windpipe may be narrowed. An X-ray examination of the neck can determine whether a narrowing is present and how severe it is.
Only very rarely is an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) necessary.
If the thyroid gland extends into the chest and an operation is necessary, a computer tomography(CT) scan should be carried out before the procedure.
If you suspect that you have a thyroid condition, your GP is the first point of contact. They will first take a medical history (questioning). If the suspicion is confirmed, he or she will refer you to an internist specializing in internal medicine.
A specialist in endocrinology, i.e. a specialist in glands and hormones, is then usually consulted. Endocrinologists are also specialists in internal medicine. They specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of glandular and hormonal diseases. This also makes them specialists in the thyroid gland.
Diagnostic procedures are also carried out by specialists in nuclear medicine .
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