Thyroid Screening

Elevate Your Thyroid Health: Comprehensive Thyroid Screening by Our Expert Endocrine Surgeon

Ensuring the optimal function of your thyroid is paramount to overall health and well-being. ACE Specialist Surgery and Endoscopy Centre offers comprehensive thyroid screening services designed to assess your thyroid health. 

Let’s explore the importance of thyroid screening, the advanced techniques we employ, and how our expert endocrine surgeon guides you towards thyroid wellness.

What is Thyroid Screening?

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland situated at the front of your neck, just above the breastbone. It is responsible for producing the thyroid hormone, which is directly related to your body’s metabolism. Dysfunction of the thyroid gland can result in various disorders, such as: 

• Hyperthyroidism
• Hypothyroidism

Thyroid screening involves a series of tests to assess thyroid hormone levels and identify abnormalities, such as nodules or imbalances, that may lead to thyroid disorders. Thyroid screening is a proactive step in identifying potential issues early, allowing for timely intervention. There are two types of thyroid screening, these are:

• Thyroid blood tests: checks the blood for thyroid hormone levels and proteins. Thyroid blood tests include T3, T4, TSH, and thyroid antibodies. Elevated or reduced levels of thyroid hormones indicate a thyroid disorder.
• Thyroid imaging tests: utilise nuclear medicine imaging to identify lumps or nodules in the neck and check if they are cancerous or benign. 

What does a Thyroid Screening include?

Our endocrine surgeons employ state-of-the-art diagnostic tools, including blood tests to measure thyroid hormone levels, ultrasound imaging to visualise the thyroid gland, and fine needle aspiration for precise analysis of thyroid nodules.

Thyroid screening involves the following: 

• Clinical assessment: our endocrinologist will conduct a clinical evaluation prior to thyroid screening. It involves discussing your medical history, symptoms, and risk factors in relation to thyroid disorders.
• Comprehensive blood tests: our thyroid screening includes a battery of blood tests to measure levels of thyroid hormones (T3, T4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and thyroid antibodies. These tests provide a comprehensive overview of thyroid function and detect abnormalities.
• Imaging tests of neck and thyroid: utilising advanced ultrasound technology, our endocrinologist will conduct non-invasive imaging to assess the size, shape, and structure of the thyroid gland. This allows for the early detection of nodules, cysts, or other abnormalities.
• Fine needle aspiration for nodule analysis: fine needle aspiration may be recommended if thyroid nodules are identified. This minimally invasive procedure involves extracting a small tissue sample for precise pathological analysis, determining the nature of the nodules.

How does Thyroid Screening work?

Thyroid screening works in the following ways:

• T3: produced by the thyroid gland in response to levels of TSH. T3 measures the level of triiodothyronine in the blood. High levels of T3 may indicate hyperthyroidism, while low levels of T3 may indicate hypothyroidism.
• T4: produced by the thyroid gland in response to levels of TSH. T4 measures the level of thyroxine in the blood. High T4 levels may indicate hyperthyroidism, thyroiditis, or thyroid nodules. Low T4 levels may indicate hypothyroidism or thyroiditis.
• TSH: produced by the pituitary gland and triggers the release of T3 and T4 from the thyroid gland. TSH test measures the level of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in the blood. High levels of TSH may indicate hypothyroidism, while low levels may indicate hyperthyroidism.

The levels of each of these hormones are measured against one another to aid in diagnosing thyroid disorders.

Why should you do routine Thyroid Screenings? 

We advocate for regular thyroid screenings, especially for those with risk factors such as family history or autoimmune conditions. Routine monitoring ensures early detection and proactive management, contributing to sustained thyroid health.
At ACE Specialist Surgery and Endoscopy, we prioritise early detection, accurate diagnosis, and personalised treatment for thyroid conditions. Our multidisciplinary approach and compassionate care ensure our patients receive optimal care for their thyroid health. We are committed to improving the quality of life for individuals with thyroid disorders through our comprehensive thyroid screening and treatment services.