Let’s take a look at the various components of the thyroid diagnosis process.
A clinical evaluation of your thyroid function should be conducted by a healthcare provider.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
Illustration by JR Bee, Verywell
Normal ranges may vary by lab, so keep that in mind if you are looking at your results.
The TSH Test
The thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) test is considered an important thyroid test.
If your thyroid hormones are low, sometimes TSH can be elevated as your body attempts to compensate.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
And sometimes TSH is low if your thyroid hormones are too high.
Some people use this approach to get testing done.
It may be more affordable to have your tests done through your healthcare provider, however.
Illustration by Emily Roberts, Verywell
Sometimes, your insurance plan may limit the tests they will pay for.
Imaging Tests
Imaging tests can be used to identify thyroid enlargement, atrophy, ornodules.
These tests include the following.
Some healthcare providers use ultrasound while conducting a biopsy to guide the needle position.
Other Diagnostic Tests
Healthcare providers sometimes use other tests and procedures to identify thyroid dysfunction.
These tests include:
The reliability and value of these tests have not been established.
It may provide a false negativeyou can have thyroid disease even if your neck feels completely normal.
However, a self-check doesn’t hurt to do and is simple and straightforward.
For nodules and goiter, imaging tests can help to identify whether nodules could be cancerous.
With this combination of tests, a healthcare provider can make an accurate diagnosis and provide you with treatment.
Some (such as Biotin) should be stopped a few days before the blood test.
No, saliva tests cannot be used to test thyroid hormone levels.
No, it shouldnt be.
A fine needle is inserted through the neck and into the thyroid to take a sample.
The needle is very small and there should be little pain during or after the procedure.
American Thyroid Association.Thyroid function tests.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Thyroid tests.
American Cancer Society.Tests for thyroid cancer.
American Association of Clinical Endocrinology.How to check your thyroid.
National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) test.
Sachan A, Naresh S, Bitla AR.Utility of saliva for measurement of thyroid hormones.Indian journal of Medical Biochemistry.
2018;22(1):36-40. doi:10.5005/jp-journals-10054-0051
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Thyroid fine needle aspiration biopsy.
National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Thyroid diseases.
Takano T, Hasegawa Y, Amino N.Self-examination of thyroid nodules.Endocr J.
2000 Oct;47(5):591-3. doi:10.1507/endocrj.47.591
Walsh JP.Managing thyroid disease in general practice.Med J Aust.
2016 Aug 15;205(4):179-84. doi:10.5694/mja16.00545
