What Tests do I Need to Get to Determine if I have Hashimoto’s Disease?

Hashimoto’s Disease has many of the same symptoms of hyperthyroidism. Typically, you’ll gain weight and have difficulty losing it, insomnia may start, you lack energy, and your libido may decrease as well. There are many symptoms of Hashimoto’s Disease that can impact your everyday quality of life. Because of this, it’s important to get the proper tests and blood work done to determine if Hashimoto’s is the root cause of the aforementioned symptoms.

Most commonly, physicians will test for Hashimoto’s Disease by conducting both a Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) test and a Thryroxine (T4) test. Today, we’ll cover what these commonly used diagnostics can uncover and the additional tests that your physician could also consider administering to discover the root cause of your Hashimoto’s Disease.

Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone Test (TSH) for Hashimoto’s Disease

This type of blood test has been administered by doctors for decades to test for both Hashimoto’s Disease and hypothyroidism. Hashimoto’s is the leading cause of hypothyroidism, and as such, the TSH test is commonly used to check for either of these issues.

Thyroid-Stimulating Hormones are not produced by your thyroid. They are instead generated in your pituitary gland that resides in your brain. When this gland notices even the tiniest decrease in hormone production for the thyroid, it begins to release a greater amount of TSH in attempts to make your thyroid produce additional hormones. When this happens the common symptoms of a hyperactive thyroid and Hashimoto’s begin to surface such as:

• Weight Loss
• Increased Heart Rate (tachycardia)
• Increased Appetite
• Anxiety and Irritability
• Sweating
• Changes in Menstrual Patterns
• More Frequent Bowel Movements
• Swelling at the Base of Your Neck (enlarged thyroid gland)
• Muscle Weakness / Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Brittle Hair

The goal of the TSH test is to determine if your TSH levels are abnormally high. Adequate TSH levels vary from patient to patient and your doctor can assist you in determining if your production rate is too high. If the production has increased past your determined normal level, this could reveal that you have Hashimoto’s, or possibly, hyperthyroidism.

Thyroxine (T4) Test for Hashimoto’s Disease

This type of blood test may be administered by your doctor to measure the level of free Thyroxine (T4) in your bloodstream. Thyroxine is the active thyroid hormone that is present in the blood. Having a lack of T4 may indicate that you have Hashimoto’s or hyperthyroidism.

Normally, your doctor will first perform the TSH test mentioned above to check your TSH production levels. If your TSH test comes back reporting above-average levels, a T4 test will normally follow to determine if your respective Thyroxine levels are low. Low levels of T4 indicate some level of deficiency in your thyroid production, even if your TSH test came back normal.

Getting to the Root Cause of Hashimoto’s Disease

While the above tests in conjunction can help diagnose if you have Hashimoto’s, your doctor should not stop there. The more important facet of testing for Hashimoto’s is discovering what the root cause or trigger of it was. Dr. Goodbinder of The Epigenetics Healing Center suggests you undergo the following tests to help discover and combat the root of your Hashimoto’s.

• TSH Test
• T4 Test
• 3T4 Test
• T3 Test
• 3T3
• Thyroxine Binding Globulin Test
• Reverse T3 Test

In addition to the above, it’s also best practice to investigate your insulin levels, hemoglobin levels and at the very least administer a comprehensive metabolic panel.

While Hashimoto’s is a genetic disease, there is typically a trigger in your lifestyle that may bring it to the surface. Is it unhealthy eating, lack of exercise, or something else that’s influencing the expression of this disease? Once the answer is discovered you can better fight the disease as well as use precautionary measures to prevent additional issues from arising in the future.

The Epigenetics Healing Center Can Help

Dr. Goodbinder at The Epigenetics Healing Center will run blood tests to show you where your body is not functioning properly and the risks it has to have autoimmune diseases surface. He will help you develop a dietary plan for your tissues and/or organs to obtain the nutrients they need to function optimally.

If you suffer from an autoimmune disease like arthritis, colitis, Crohn’s disease, lupus, psoriasis, eczema, Hashimoto’s or any other chronic illness, Dr. Goodbinder’s program will be the most effective solution you have ever come across. Contact us today!