Skip to main content
  • hashimotos-thyroiditis
    Hashimotos Thyroiditis
    Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, also called Hashimoto’s disease, is an autoimmune disease in which the thyroid is attacked by the body’s immune system, causing symptoms of hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland). It is most common among middle-aged women. 
Submitted by PatientsEngage on 28 July 2015

What tests do you need to have done

The doctor will conduct some of the following: 

Physical examination to identify goiter and other physical signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism. 

Laboratory tests may check the following:

Antithyroid Antibodies: These are proteins produced by our immune system that destroy thyroid tissue. Increased antithyroid antibodies provide the most specific laboratory evidence of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, but they are not present in all cases. 

TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone or Thyrotropin) Test: Increased TSH level in the blood is the most accurate indicator of hypothyroidism. TSH is produced by the pituitary gland, which is located in the centre of the head behind the nose. The level of TSH rises dramatically when the thyroid gland even slightly under-produces thyroid hormone, so in patients with normal pituitary function, a normal level of TSH reliably excludes hypothyroidism.

An estimate of free thyroxine: This is the active thyroid hormone in the blood. A low level of free thyroxine is consistent with thyroid hormone deficiency. However, free thyroxine values in the “normal range” but with high TSH also points to hypothyroidism. 

Fine-needle aspiration of the thyroid: This is usually not necessary for most patients, but a good way to diagnose difficult cases and a necessary procedure if a thyroid nodule is also present. A thin needle is used to draw cells or fluid from a lump or mass under the skin to understand if the nodule is cancerous or not. About 10 per cent of Hashimoto’s cases show thyroid nodules.

Thyroid scan for nodules: If you have a thyroid scan, you will be given a tiny amount of radioactive material that is taken up by your thyroid. Imaging machines detect the radioactivity and record it on film to produce a picture showing the distribution of the radioactivity in your thyroid. Thyroid nodules may show up on scanning as zones of decreased activity ("cold" nodules) or zones of increased activity ("hot" nodules). Hot nodules almost never contain cancer. Most cold nodules are also harmless, but since thyroid cancers usually appear as cold nodules as well, all cold nodules require further study. 

Some physicians advise an ultrasound test to determine whether a cold nodule is solid (as are most tumours whether or not they contain cancer) or a fluid-filled cyst. Ultrasound studies are being ordered less often because needle biopsy will provide the same information, and can also provide cells and tiny tissue fragments for microscopic study by pathologists.

Stories

  • Thyroid and Women's Reproductive Health
    Dr Anshumala Kulkarni, Consultant Gynecological Surgeon, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital addresses questions on how thyroid hormones affect the reproductive system of women during various life stages. Thyroid hormone functions have a complex interplay with all the hormones of the reproductive system. Thyroid hormones act at the level of the pituitary gland and affect the release of stimulating hormones from the pituitary and estrogen, progesterone and testosterone hormones from…
  • Side profile of a woman with the thyroid area being highlighted in a reddish hue and text on the pic saying Managing Skin Hair and Nail Issues in Thyroid COnditions
    Managing Skin, Hair And Nail Issues In Thyroid Conditions
    Dermatologist Dr. Kruti Banodkar explains how hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism affects the skin, hair and nails of a person, the home remedies and self care strategies for the dermatological issues and when you should see a physician. The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland that sits at the front of the neck. It releases hormones to help the body regulate and use energy. It regulates the rate at which calories are burned, affecting weight loss or weight gain. It can slow down or…
  • Running Has Helped Me Manage Diabetes and Thyroid
    Dr. R. Asha Rajani,65, a retired professor at Madras Veterinary College has fought diabetes together with breast cancer and hypothyroidism. She talks about how she finally learnt to manage diabetes with running, exercise, diet and lifestyle changes. Please tell us a bit about your condition - when were you diagnosed, the early symptoms? I was diagnosed with Diabetes at 36 years of age. My mother had passed away due to a diabetic foot, and both my grandparents from my mom’s side were diabetic.…
  • My Life is Four Dimensional - Health, Home, Studies and Office
    Kavita Chaddha has multiple issues which she handles in the course of a day wth proper medication, a healthy diet and the right exercises. She talks about how she juggles her life, home and work in the course of a day Hi! I am Kavita Chaddha, diagnosed with Scleroderma (an autoimmune disease) in 2009 by a rheumatologist.   I am bipolar too. I am also a working professional (Librarian), a wife and a mother of a 9-year-old girl. I am a doctoral student too. My life is four-dimensional –…
  • A profile pic of a young woman
    A Day In The Life With Hashimoto's And Fibromyalgia
    Kavita, 40 from Mumbai shares what a day in her life with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and Fibromyalgia looks like, her diet and exercise routine, and how she deals with the flare ups.  Mornings : My mornings start at 6am and as soon as I wake up I take my Thyronorm 50mg. A few minutes later, I take my Homeopathic medicine (which I have recently started). By 6:30 am, I am dressed and ready to head to the Gym. I make sure my gymming is done in the morning time so my evenings are free for my…
  • Diet Changes That Helped Them Manage Chronic Conditions
    Diet changes are an integral part of management of many chronic conditions. Here are real life experiences of eight women who incorporated diet and nutrition changes in their disease management regimen.  Celiac Disease When Jeeva Anna George was diagnosed with Celiac disease, an uncommon digestive disorder causing inflammation of the small intestine, her whole life began revolving around food. Here she talks at length about her personal journey and how she learnt the hard way to control…
  • Priya sitting on a green patch with a basket of fresh food next to her sharing her management of hypothyroidism
    How I Took Charge Of My Life And Thyroid
    Priya had for years allowed hypothyroidism and its related issues to get the better of her, till she finally turned around and decided to make lifestyle changes and battle it head on. This is the story of how she emerged a winner. Early Symptoms When I was a teen in the early 1990’s, my poor mother spent hours every morning trying to get me out of bed. I held my stomach or head, faking intense pain. I even locked myself in the bathroom, poured water into the toilet and simultaneously made…
  • Image: A young lady in a summery white crop top, a cool drink with a straw in hand, dark glasses in the other hand
    Tips for a Healthy Summer for People with Chronic Conditions
    With summer upon us, our body systems can go through various changes just like the outside temperature. With certain chronic conditions like diabetes, skin allergies, thyroid problems, the weather change can be even more bothersome with unwanted symptoms. Here are a few tips to best cope with the sizzling hot season. Food tips for summer: Eat smaller meals through the day instead of fewer, heavy meals. Stay hydrated! Keep a bottle of water handy at all times and sip it through the day. To make…
  • partial image of a woman holding her neck indicating a thyroid problem
    My Medication Caused Bone Health Deterioration
    Parul, 48 from Mumbai talks about tackling hypothyroidism in her own way, accompanied by food cravings and a debilitating bone health. Please tell us a bit about your condition  I have hypothyroidism. I need to take Eltroxin every day When were you diagnosed? I was diagnosed in 1995, 3 months after the birth of my first child. I was around 25 years old at the time. What were the early symptoms? I noticed a small swelling around my neck area one day and decided to get it checked. Initially…
  • A stock image of a doctor examining the thyroid of a woman
    Don’t Let Thyroid Throw You off Balance
    Nearly 42 million people in India suffer from thyroid diseases. Thyroid dysfunction can play havoc with your life and normal functioning, if left uncontrolled. Dr. Manoj Chadha, Consultant Endocrinologist at Hinduja Healthcare Surgical, helps us understand the various complications of thyroid disorder and the importance of early detection and management. What are the 5 common thyroid problems and disorders? Hypothyroidism [Decreased function of thyroid gland] Hyperthyroidism [Overfunction of…