[Tang Medical Science] What is the function of the thyroid gland? In what cases do you need to test the thyroid function? How to read the results? Let's explain it clearly today

In recent years, with the accelerated pace of people's lives and the increased pressure of life and work, the incidence of thyroid diseases has risen rapidly, and there is a trend of younger patients. The incidence of thyroid nodules in adults in my country is about 20%, and the incidence in women is much higher than that in men, 5-10 times that of men. Thyroid cancer is the fourth in the female cancer spectrum. Thyroid diseases have an insidious onset and are not easy to detect early. Abnormalities are usually found during physical examinations. There are many types of thyroid diseases, benign diseases and malignant tumors, and there are many inducing factors. Mental stress, poor diet, day and night reversal, nutritional bias, environmental toxins, hormone imbalance, radiation damage, genetics and other factors may lead to the occurrence of thyroid diseases. Once a problem with the thyroid is found, it is necessary to seek medical attention as soon as possible, early detection and early treatment, and go to a regular medical institution for diagnosis and treatment.

1. What is the function of the thyroid gland?

The thyroid gland is the largest endocrine gland in the human body and functions by secreting thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormones have many functions, including promoting brain development, physical growth, nutritional metabolism, and improving nerve and cardiovascular functions. The level of thyroid hormones directly reflects the functional status of the thyroid gland.

2. In what cases is it necessary to draw blood for thyroid function test?

How to measure thyroid function

Thyroid function test is the most commonly used test index for clinical evaluation of thyroid diseases, and the test items include thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroxine (TH). Thyroxine in a broad sense includes total thyroxine (TT4), triiodothyronine (TT3), free thyroxine (FT4) and free triiodothyronine (FT3).

Commonly used thyroid autoantibody indicators in clinical practice include thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO-Ab), thyroglobulin antibodies (TG-Ab) and thyrotropin receptor antibodies (TR-Ab).

When doing early thyroid function screening or physical examination, three thyroid function tests can reflect the basic status of thyroid function, and seven or eight thyroid function tests are more comprehensive. However, for patients who already have abnormal thyroid function and are taking medication, it is recommended to test five items.

By checking thyroid function, many thyroid diseases can be found, such as hypothyroidism, subclinical hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, subclinical hyperthyroidism, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, subacute thyroiditis, hyperfunctioning thyroid adenoma, etc. It can also be used as an indicator to evaluate the efficacy of thyroid drug treatment.

(Pictures from the Internet)

About the Author

Tiantan Xiaotangshan Rehabilitation Center Zheng Ying

Deputy Chief Physician, Master of Internal Medicine, specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of geriatric diseases and endocrine and metabolic diseases, and rehabilitation medicine for critical neurological diseases. He is a standing member of the Diabetes Professional Committee of the Chinese Society of Research Hospitals, a member of the Endocrinology Professional Committee of the Beijing Society of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, a member of the Critical Care Rehabilitation Professional Committee of the Beijing Rehabilitation Medicine Society, a standing member of the Respiratory Rehabilitation Professional Committee of the China Rehabilitation Medical Institutions Alliance, a member of the Cardiac Rehabilitation Professional Committee, and a director of the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Professional Committee of the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies.

Clinic hours: Endocrinologist clinic (every Thursday morning)