A common disease in women, hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland cannot maintain sufficient levels of T3 and T4 hormones in the blood. Because T3 and T4 play a major role in regulating metabolism, people afflicted by hypothyroidism may experience a significant drop in energy, as well as other depression-like symptoms. While a simple blood test that shows relatively low T3 and T4 levels usually signals hypothyroidism, these results may be masking a pituitary gland disorder. Therefore, your doctor should order a "Comprehensive Thyroid Assessment" on your bloodwork as well.

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism

If you have a family history of hypothyroidism, talk to your doctor about incorporating a basic thyroid-hormone screening test to your annual blood tests. Otherwise, be on the lookout for these symptoms of low thyroid gland activity: weight gain, fatigue, weakness, dry hair and skin, memory loss, depression, muscle aches, heightened sensitivity to cold temperatures and, for women, irregular menstrual cycles. Hypothyroidism is treated by taking prescription thyroid hormone replacements.

Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone Test

The secretion of T4 and T3 by the thyroid gland is triggered when the pituitary gland releases thyrotropin, also called thyroid-stimulating hormone. As long as the pituitary gland senses low levels of T4 and T3, it will continue producing and releasing TSH in attempts to "jolt" the thyroid out of inactivity. The TSH blood test checks for abnormally high levels of thyrotropin in the blood. If thryrotropin levels are normal (2.0 milliunits per liter or less), it means that your thyroid is working fine. If your levels are above 2.0 and you show any of the above symptoms, your doctor should order a Comprehensive Thyroid Assessment.

Comprehensive Thyroid Assessment

The CTA tests the actual levels of T4 and T3 in your blood, as well as anti-thyroid antibodies (a signal of autoimmune disease). Your doctor also may check the levels of cortisol (caused by stress) and progesterone (sex hormone imbalance) in your body. By comparing these levels, your doctor can get a far clearer picture of your liver function, immune system, mental stress and thyroid function to help pinpoint the cause of your symptoms.

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Hypothyroidism Symptoms

Comprehensive Thyroid Assessment Process