Hashimoto’s is typically diagnosed by a combination of your signs, symptoms, and blood tests.
This article explains tests for Hashimoto’s disease and how it is diagnosed.
It’s a common symptom of Hashimoto’s disease.
Illustration by JR Bee for Verywell Health
You may have a thyroid disorder or a nodule that needs to be checked.
Next, your healthcare provider will likely order blood tests to test your thyroid hormone function and antibodies.
However, there’s some controversy concerning what’s actually normal.
The normal range for free T4 is 0.81.8 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL).
If you have an elevated TSH level and a low free T4 level, this is consistent withprimary hypothyroidism.
These antibodies attack the TPO enzymes found in your thyroid, gradually destroying it.
If you have elevated levels, you likely have Hashimoto’s disease.
What Do the Results Mean?
It’s a painless and non-invasive procedure.
Differential Diagnoses
An elevated TSH level can be brought on by another condition.
Your healthcare provider may need to consider these possibilities.
TSH resistance due to TSH receptor defects also tends to run in families.
Like TSH resistance, this condition is rare.
In some people, the damaged adrenal glands also can’t make enough of the hormonealdosterone.
Because hypothyroidism is common in this disorder, your TSH levels may be elevated.
In a person with HE, TSH levels can range from low to high.
Treatment for HE usually consists of corticosteroids and treating any thyroid issues if they’re present.
Summary
Hashimotos disease is the most common cause of hypothyroidism, apart from iodine deficiency.
It tends to progress over your lifetime.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any questions about your blood tests or treatment.
Occasionally, your treatment may have to be adjusted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hypothyroidism(underactive thyroid) is triggered by a problem with your thyroid.
Hashimoto thyroiditis is because of aproblem with your immune system.
Hashimoto’s can cause hypothyroidism because it is an autoimmune disease that destroys thyroid cells.
Hashimoto is the most common cause of hypothyroidism, but other factors can also cause it.
First is a test for thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) to see if there is an imbalance of hormones.
In addition, tests for thyroid antibodies help identify specific thyroid problems.
2023 Nov 10;14:1277739. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1277739.
American Thyroid Association.Hashimotos Thyroiditis.
American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE).How to Check Your Thyroid.
Soh SB, Aw TC.Laboratory Testing in Thyroid Conditions - Pitfalls and Clinical Utility.Ann Lab Med.
2023 Oct 2;14:1204552. doi:10.3389/fendo.2023.1204552.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Hashimoto’s Disease.
Ross DS.Diagnosis of and screening for hypothyroidism in nonpregnant adults.
uptodate.com
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
Office On Womens Health.Hashimotos disease.
Narumi S, Hasegawa T.TSH resistance revisited.Endocr J.
2016;29(2):209-11.
2020 May 13;11:2042018820917869. doi: 10.1177/2042018820917869.
2021 Feb 17;16:333-339. doi: 10.2147/COPD.S291807.
2021 Jun 16;106(7):1994-2009. doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgab148.
2020 Nov 27;11:580264. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2020.580264.
Yamamoto T.Comorbid latent adrenal insufficiency with autoimmune thyroid disease.Eur Thyroid J.
2015;4(3):201-6. doi:10.1159/000433532
MedlinePlus.Addison disease.
Siniscalchi C, Moretti V, Cataldo S, et al.The Schmidt Syndrome.Acta Biomed.
2022 Nov 18;14(11):e31641.
Nieman LK.Causes of Primary Adrenal Insufficiency (Addison’s Disease).
