Has Anyone Had Their Thyroid Checked?

Updated on July 12, 2011
M.M. asks from San Diego, CA
21 answers

I have my physical this week & I'm finally going to ask to have my thyroid checked. I'm still slowly gaining weight (if you remember my other question). Anyway, I was just wondering what "checking my thyroid" would entail? How do they check or test if it's working properly? I'm kinda nervous that my thyroid could be the culprit.

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So What Happened?

I had my annual physical. All my blood tests, including my thyroid test, came out normal. Thank goodness! I guess my metabolism had truly slowed down in my grand old age of 41 - LOL! I have to kick up my exercise program. Thank you all for your responses.

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E.L.

answers from Detroit on

It's just a blood test, and they'll probably feel your thyroid as well. (I have hypothyroidism.) If it is the culprit, at least you'll get medication to make you better! Good luck! :-)

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C.P.

answers from San Diego on

its just a simple blood test. easy

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S.F.

answers from Reno on

It's a blood test to see if you have a certain something within normal parameters. My thyroid test came back on the extreme low end of normal, but I had all the classic symptoms of hypothyroidism, so I was given a prescription. After three years on this prescription, while I felt better, I discovered it did absolutely nothing about my weight creeping upwards.

After those three years, I gave up the prescription and found ways to handle the symptoms through a better diet and better exercise. I also discovered, about the same time, that I was anemic (hard to donate blood if your iron is too low). At the recommendation of the blood donation folks, I started taking iron twice a day. I now feel a thousand times better than I did on my thyroid prescription AND I can easily donate blood. No more anemia.
As for the weight gain, I've had to accept that when your favorite activities are all sedentary (reading, movies, cross-stitching) and your favorite foods are high in calories, well, you're going to have trouble with weight gain. I'm slowly working on better health choices. It's a pain and chore but that's the way it is. Every woman I know who battles weight "creep" and thinks it's a thyroid problem has been disappointed in that regard. Sorry...

But! I hope your physical goes well and your doc gives you some sound and simple strategies for managing your weight and any other concerns you have. A good physician is worth his/her weight in gold.

Good luck.

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M..

answers from St. Louis on

My docs are doing blood tests, but I read they can be more extensive than that. I am currently hyper, my mom is hypo. Hypo is the one that makes you gain weight, my mom was put on meds and I can tell she has lost weight.

The only thing I am noticing thats hyper, is dizziness, pressure in my head and increased anxiety. Hyper and Hypo symptoms are very similar.

They are rechecking me in a couple weeks, just more bloodwork.

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L.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

It is a simple blood test - not to worry.

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B.B.

answers from Spokane on

Their is a specific blood test that they can do to check your thyroid as well as palpating your thyroid gland its nothing too invasive. I hope everything turns out ok

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B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

Every year since I was diagnosed hypothyroid at 32 years old.
They take blood and measure your TSH level.
And if/once they determine thyroid is an issue they should measure T3 and T4 levels as well.
If you suspect (slowing) thyroid troubles, there would be symptoms besides just weight gain.
Do you always tend to feel cold when everyone else in the room feels comfortable?
Are your hair/nails brittle, break off easy and slow to grow?
Are the outer edges of your eyebrows thinning?
Do you feel tired a lot like you can never get enough sleep?
It's a fairly common problem and easily handled with thyroid medications (these are maintenance medications which you take for the rest of your life).

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C.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

Typically your doctor will start with some blood work and manually feel your thyroid on your neck. If anything feels out of the ordinary, then they will refer you to get an ultrasound done to check for nodules, enlargements, etc.

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A.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi, I did not read your post/other question but if the thyroid is being checked it is a blood test. After having my second child I had no luck losing weight. I was doing weight watchers and exercising. I went in for a check up and it ends I have hypothyroidism. Slow thyroid! Hair loss, depression are also a sign. Every six months I get my levels checked (simple blood test) and I take a small pill every morning to keep things normal. Levothyroxine is the medicine. Good luck!

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E.M.

answers from Honolulu on

Blood draw... that is it.

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S.G.

answers from Saginaw on

Its a blood test....they check mine yearly cause I have an overaractive thyroid. If your thyroid is messed up they will give you mess to regulate it

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J.B.

answers from Atlanta on

It's just a blood test to check the levels of your thyroid and if it's too high or too low.

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S.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

I had mine checked out via a blood test.

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C.P.

answers from Provo on

Usually just a bloodtest. When the thyroid is right on then things are so much better.

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D.D.

answers from New York on

It's just a blood test so if you are having bloodword done as part of your physical then it's just a matter of the dr checking 1 more box on the lab sheet. You'll get your results in a couple days and if your thyroid is low then they'll give you a rx that you will take for the rest of your life.

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S.R.

answers from Los Angeles on

In my case the "thyroid check" was a simple blood test. As my levels were considered low, I now take a medicine every morning to boost my thyroid levels. Since I have started taking the prescribed medication, I feel less tired but I have not lost a significant amount of weight. Hope this information is of use to you. Good luck! :)

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S.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

There are two blood tests, but typically the one used for screening is testing for TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone), the other is T3. The TSH is the hormone the pituitary gland releases when the thyroid is under-active to stimulate it to produce more T3; so the more TSH in the blood the less your thyroid is functioning normal. T3 measures the actual thyroid produced hormone in the blood. Both have a range that determines 'normal' levels and according to my endocrinologist these ranges change too, but not often. Your doctor will also check for nodules and so forth.
I have a goiter on my thyroid and had a biopsy (negative) and has never changed in size.
I hope that you are not too worried about your health and hope you'll be given reassured with your results. Good luck.

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S.F.

answers from Utica on

I had mine checked when I was losing too much weight and it was just a blood test
Good Luck

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K.J.

answers from Chicago on

I believe they just do a blood draw to check your hormone levels.

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A.C.

answers from Wichita on

.

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K.K.

answers from San Diego on

Hello, I always suggest to people who are gaining weight for no apparent reason to get their thyroid checked. I had that problem and then had some bone issues as well as being so very tired all of the time. Well, my doctor checked my thyroid and there it was. I am on thyroid medicine. My bone issues ended up being related to it. The "test" is very simple. It is just a blood test. No problem. I also have heart disease. I ended up on many medicines. I also did Weight Watchers. I lost 85 pounds between Weight Watchers and the medications.
Good luck with this issue.
K. K.

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