The diagnosis of hypothyroidism is primarily based on history, the clinical presentation, and the laboratory results of analytes from the patient. The present article focusses on the diagnostic parameters of hypothyroidism. Measurement of Circulating Hormone Levels The principal laboratory tests that are recommended for the initial evaluation of thyroid disorders are the assessments of the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and the free thyroxine (FT4) levels.
Additional tests for the further confirmation of hypothyroidism include: Other Laboratory Tests The tests for total thyroxine (TT4) and total triiodothyronine (TT3) takes into account both free and bound (total) serum T4 and T3. The bound fraction of T3 and T4 is the major fraction measured by the tests; therefore, conditions that alter the hormone’s affinity for thyroid-binding globulin (TBG) level influences the results. For…
