Hypothyroidism demonstrates increased TSH levels and low T4. This is the most common form of thyroid disorder.

Symptoms include decreased basal metabolic rate, weight gain, lack of energy, fatigue, depression, psychosis, lethargy, dry skin, brittle hair, bradycardia, heat intolerance – cold all the time, constipation.

Primary hypothyroidism can occur as a result of:

• Autoimmune onset causing primary atrophic hypothyroidism or Hashimotos thyroiditis.
• Acquired as a result of iodine deficiency, post thyroidectomy, post radioactive iodine therapy, subacute thyroiditis or drug induced (amiodarone, anti-thyroid medications, lithium, iodine).

Hyperthyroidism demonstrates decreased TSH and increased T3 and T4 secretion.

Symptoms include increased basal metabolic rate, weight loss, increased appetite, anxiety, agitation, hair loss, tachycardia, palpitations, atrial fibrillation, heat intolerance, diarrhoea.

Thyrotoxicosis is the clinical and biochemical effect of excess thyroid hormone. Hyperthyroidism can occur because of Graves disease, an autoimmune disorder caused by antibody to TSH receptors resulting in a clinical syndrome of uncontrolled excess release of circulating free thyroxine, free triiodothyronine or both and suppression of circulating TSH. It accounts for approximately 75% of cases of hyperthyroidism, affecting more women than men. Patients typically have goitre and display exophthalmos. 90% have antithyroid antibodies and diffuse uptake on radioiodine scan. Other causes of hyperthyroidism include toxic multinodular goitre especially in the elderly or from a toxic adenoma, an isolated nodule abnormally increasing T3 and T4.

Additional diagnoses to consider are transient thyroiditis – subacute, silent or post partum; or DeQuerivans thyroiditis, a painful tender thyroid gland with a raised ESR.

Test Results:

Please contact us for more information on the reference ranges used at Enfer Medical.