| Since the hormones of the thyroid gland, i.e. T 4 | | | | therapy, one has to regularly watch the activity |
| and T 3 are increased in the blood, a blood | | | | of the thyroid gland, because it is a disease in |
| analysis of the patient for estimation of these | | | | which both natural remissions and relapses may |
| hormones, will make clear the diagnosis. However, | | | | occur from time to time. Hence, such patients will |
| for a screening programme for detecting the | | | | need lifelong care. |
| occult/ hidden cases of hyperthyroidism, | | | | After initial therapy, the patient may be put on a |
| estimation of the serum free T4 ideal, since T4 is | | | | maintenance dose of antithyroid drugs. As the |
| the major hormone of the thyroid. | | | | drug shows its effect, T4 and T3 will return to |
| All thyroid function tests, like T4 and T3 must be | | | | the normal level, and the size of the thyroid gland |
| interpreted with care. The levels of various | | | | may also decrease. However, at any time, thyroid |
| thyroid function tests may be altereci in patients | | | | activity may become low (hypothyroidism), even |
| who are on drugs like salicylates, propranolol (one | | | | when the patient is on a maintenance dose of the |
| of the antihypertensive drugs), glucocorticoids. | | | | antithyroid drug, as he may get natural remission. |
| Other conditions in which thyroid function tests | | | | Therefore, T4 and T3 may have to be repeated |
| may be changed are in the case of patients who | | | | frequently, when the clinical picture so warrants. |
| are taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. | | | | Further, the patient may even get a natural |
| Or, in whom contrast media have been used for | | | | relapse of overactivity of the thyroid gland, while |
| imaging studies, or in the cases of severe/ | | | | still on the maintenance dose of antithyroid drugs, |
| recurrent vomiting during the period of pregnancy, | | | | and in such cases T3 (rather early) and T4 will |
| although in such conditions, the effect is only | | | | rise, and will give the true status of the thyroid |
| transitory. | | | | gland. Hence it is clear that thyroid function tests |
| Further, in cases which are acutely serious, as a | | | | must be carried out from time to time so that |
| result of some disease, or in the case of patients | | | | the function of the thyroid gland is perfectly |
| who are suffering from severe mental/psychiatric | | | | maintained, and the patient lives a normal, |
| disorders, thyroid function tests have to be read | | | | satisfactory life. |
| with caution. | | | | Radio-iodine or even surgery may be considered |
| Treatment of a hyperactive thyroid gland | | | | necessary in some of the cases. |
| Overactivity of the thyroid gland as a result of | | | | In the case of solitary nodule/s responsible for |
| Graves' disease can be successfully brought down | | | | the overactivity of the thyroid gland, after |
| to normal levels by the use of various antithyroid | | | | controlling the elevated activity of the gland with |
| drugs, and the one commonly used is | | | | an antithyroid drug, these may be removed |
| neomercazole (carbimazole). While on antithyroid | | | | surgically for a lasting cure of the disease. |