How Do You Interpret A Thyroid Test?
You’re losing or gaining weight without changing your diet and are fatigued or unable to sleep. You’ve noticed a change in the texture of your hair and skin, and you don’t seem to be digesting food properly. If you have these symptoms and others, your doctor may have you get a thyroid test to determine if you have an underactive or overactive thyroid gland. However, the numbers and initials that are your doctor talks about are confusing, and it may be difficult to understand the implications of the results.First, you need to understand what the thyroid is and what it controls. The thyroid is a small butterfly shaped gland at the base of the throat. It secretes two hormones: triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). These hard-to-pronounce hormones control the rate your body functions—everything from your heartbeat, temperature, digestion and metabolism to brain function and breathing. You may be producing too much hormone (hyperthyroid) or not enough (hypothyroid), and your symptoms wi
