!

Important Patient
Information on

Thyroid Dysfunction
Laboratory
Investigation

Administered by the Alberta Medical Association

THYROID FACTS

The thyroid gland is located at the base of the neck, just above the breast bone. The thyroid gland produces two major
hormones (thyroxine and triiodothyronine) that have many different effects on growth,
development and metabolism.

THYROID DISORDERS

The main causes of thyroid disease are:

! too much thyroid hormone production or hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)

! too little thyroid hormone production or hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
PEOPLE AT RISK

! those with thyroid or other immune system problems in their family (such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, colitis,
pernicious anemia)
! women over the age of 45
! the elderly
! patients receiving drugs such as lithium
! women in the first few months after child birth
! patients with a strong family history of thyroid disease

SYMPTOMS OF HYPOTHYROIDISM (underactive thyroid)

Weight gain, feeling tired and listless, constipation, feeling cold when other people don’t, depression, loss of interest in sex,
and for women heavier periods.

SYMTOMS OF HYPERTHYROIDISM (Overactive thyroid)

Faster heart rate and palpitations, feeling nervous and irritable, feeling too hot when other people don’t, weight loss, weak
muscles especially in the thighs and upper arms, loss of interest in sex, and for the women lighter periods. Some thyroid
diseases cause eye symptoms such as redness, irritation, blurred or double vision, or protrusion of the eyes.

A patient will not necessarily have all the above symptoms. A doctor should be consulted if thyroid illness is
suspected. Also note that these symptoms can be signs of other things such as stress or a part of the natural aging
process.

LABORATORY TESTS

A blood test to measure your thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) can tell if your symptoms come from thyroid disorder. At
present, measurement of TSH is the recommended test when thyroid disease is suspected. Blood tests are used to:

! confirm the clinical diagnosis of thyroid disease

! monitor patients with thyroid disease who have been treated

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask your doctor.

The laboratory testing guideline for thyroid dysfunction and this patient hand-out were developed under the guidance of the
Alberta Clinical Practice Guidelines Steering Committee, which promotes appropriate, effective and quality medical care in
Alberta.

Alberta Clinical Practice Guidelines Steering Committee

Alberta Health, Alberta Medical

Association, College of Family
Physicians of Canada, Alberta Chapter, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta, Physicians at Large, Public
Representative, Regional Health
Authorities, University of Alberta,
University of Calgary
Developed: April 1996
Reviewed: May 1999