Basic Thyroid Tests You Should Receive or Ask For

A lot of doctors tend to base whether or not you have thyroid disease SOLELY on TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) tests. This was probably the reason mine was not discovered for a long time, because it was always in the normal range. If it had not been for the doctor that discovered my kidney stone, after years of being told I had only UTIs (urinary tract infection), I probably would not have had my thyroid checked out completely by and endocrinologist.

With that said, I wanted to share with you the most basic profile you should get or ask for when testing for thyroid disease.

* Thyroid (TSH)
* Free T4 (FT4)-measures that total amount of circulating thyroxine in the blood.
* Free T3 (FT3)-measures free unbound triiodothyronine in your bloodstream.
* Thyroid Peroxidase Antibody (TPO)-this is the test that is used to check for Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, post partum thyroid disease, and other types of thyroiditis.
* Thyroid Antibody (Anti-thyroid AB)-this is to test for hyperthyroidism

For more information regarding these tests, you can visit here, here, and here.

Top Ten Signs That May Signal Thyroid Disease

1. Fatigue
2. Weight Changes
3. Depression and Anxiety
4. Family History
5. Cholesterol Issues
6. Menstrual Irregularities and Fertility Problems
7. Bowel Problems
8. Hair/Skin Changes
9. Neck Discomfort
10. Muscle and Joint Pains, Carpal Tunnel/Tendonitis Problems.

I'll be expanding on these on the next post along with my experiences.

Signs of A Stroke

Every once in awhile, my husband's work sends out a health newsletter. There have been some really great tips in it. This month's issue has something that I think is important to get out there...the warning signs of a stroke.

Symptoms of Stroke:

*Sudden confusion or trouble speaking
*Numbness or weakness of the face, arms, legs, especially on one side.
*Sudden trouble seeing
*Sudden trouble walking
*Dizziness or loss of balance
* Severe headache with no known cause.

A stroke is the third leading cause of death in the U.S. If you know the signs, you can act immediately. Getting help quickly can save brain tissue and decrease long-term damage.