How to check thyroid
Thyroid diseases have attracted much attention in recent years, especially the incidence of thyroid nodules, hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism has increased year by year. Understanding how to test your thyroid is crucial for early detection and treatment. This article will introduce in detail the common examination methods of thyroid, and provide you with comprehensive answers based on the hot topics and hot content on the Internet in the past 10 days.
1. Common methods of thyroid examination
Thyroid examination mainly includes three categories: physical examination, laboratory examination and imaging examination. The following are specific inspection methods:
| Check type | Specific methods | Applicable symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Physical examination | The doctor checks the size, shape, and texture of the thyroid gland by palpation | Thyroid enlargement, nodules |
| laboratory tests | Blood tests for thyroid function (TSH, T3, T4, etc.) | Hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism |
| Imaging examination | Ultrasound examination, CT, MRI, etc. | Thyroid nodules and tumors |
| radiological examination | Thyroid scan (iodine-131 uptake test) | Abnormal thyroid function |
| Biopsy | Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNA) | Are thyroid nodules malignant? |
2. Detailed explanation of the steps of thyroid examination
1.Physical examination: The doctor will touch the neck with his hand to check for enlargement, nodules, or abnormal hardness of the thyroid gland. This is the most basic examination method and is suitable for preliminary screening.
2.laboratory tests: Detect thyroid hormone levels (such as TSH, free T3, free T4, etc.) by drawing blood. These indicators can reflect whether the thyroid function is normal and help diagnose hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.
3.Ultrasound examination: High-frequency ultrasound can clearly show the structure of the thyroid gland and help find nodules, cysts or tumors. Ultrasound examination is radiation-free, safe and convenient, and is the preferred imaging method for thyroid examination.
4.thyroid scan: Observe the uptake of iodine by the thyroid gland through oral administration or injection of radioactive iodine, mainly used to diagnose hyperthyroidism or thyroid cancer.
5.Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNA): For suspicious thyroid nodules, doctors will use a fine needle to extract a small amount of tissue for pathological examination to determine the nature of the nodule (benign or malignant).
3. Precautions for thyroid examination
1.Preparation before inspection: Some thyroid function tests need to be done on an empty stomach, especially those involving blood tests. In addition, iodine-containing foods and medications need to be avoided before radiological examinations.
2.Cooperation during inspection: When performing ultrasound or CT examination, it is necessary to keep the neck relaxed and avoid swallowing movements to ensure clear images.
3.Post-examination follow-up: If the test results are abnormal, regular reexamination or further treatment is required according to the doctor’s recommendations.
4. Hot topics related to thyroid in the past 10 days on the Internet
The following are the hot topics and content about thyroid on the Internet in the past 10 days:
| hot topics | Main content | Attention |
|---|---|---|
| Differentiation of benign and malignant thyroid nodules | Discuss the application of ultrasound and FNA in differentiating benign and malignant thyroid nodules | high |
| Early symptoms of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism | Analysis of common symptoms and early diagnosis methods of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism | in |
| Increasing incidence of thyroid cancer | Explore the causes and preventive measures for the rising incidence of thyroid cancer | high |
| Thyroid test cost | Compare the costs and medical insurance reimbursement of different thyroid examination items | in |
| Iodine intake and thyroid health | Discuss the impact of iodine intake on thyroid function | high |
5. Summary
Thyroid examination is an important means for early detection of thyroid disease, including physical examination, laboratory examination, imaging examination and other methods. Depending on the symptoms and needs, it is important to choose the appropriate examination items. Recent hot topics also reflect public concern about thyroid health, especially the identification of benign and malignant thyroid nodules and the prevention of thyroid cancer. We hope that the introduction in this article can help you better understand the relevant knowledge of thyroid examination and pay attention to your own health in a timely manner.
If you have any thyroid-related symptoms or questions, it is recommended to consult a professional doctor as soon as possible for targeted examination and treatment.
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