ARTICLES

All articles are copyrighted by Elaine Moore

Graves’ Disease

Thyroid Function Tests

Blood Thyroid Function Tests, including levels of thyroid hormones and the pituitary hormone TSH are used to diagnose thyroid disorders. These tests are also used to monitor anti-thyroid drug therapy in GD patients and also thyroid hormone replacement therapy in patients who have become hypothyroid. Thyroid antibody tests are used to confirm GD and predict remission.

A positive test for stimulating TSH receptor antibodies, which is also known as thyroid stimulating antibodies (TSI) confirms Graves' disease although negative results do not rule out Graves'disease. The RAI-U test is an older and less specific test used to confirm Graves' disease.

Measurements of thyroid hormone in the blood are used to diagnose hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Levels of the pituitary hormone TSH also reflect thyroid status as described in my article on laboratory tests. Positive thyroid antibody levels confirm that one has an autoimmune thyroid disorder. The RAI-U test may also be used to confirm GD, but it is not as sensitive a test.

Sources:

How to Interpret Thyroid Laboratory Tests

Are TSH Levels the Answer?

HOME | ARTICLES | BOOKS | BLOG | Q&A | RESOURCES | ABOUT | CONTACT | SUPPORT

SITE LAUNCHED AUGUST 2008. SITE LAST UPDATED: APR 11 2013.

ELAINE-MOORE.COM
Elaine Moore Graves’ Disease and Autoimmune Disease Education
Copyright © by Elaine Moore. All Rights Reserved. These pages and their content, including all articles and images, are copyrighted and are not to be copied, reproduced or printed without written permission.

This site is self-funded exclusively by Elaine Moore. Moore has no other external sources of funds and receives no monies from government agencies, pharmaceutical companies or other commercial entities to operate this site. There are no conflicts of interest in the operation of this site. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.

DISCLAIMER
The information at this site is true and correct to the extent that all information contained herein about the benefits or performance of any diagnostic or treatment are backed up with scientific evidence such as medical journals, reports, articles, and other relevant materials.The educational information provided within is designed to help users better understand the nature of disease and the solutions available. Nothing contained on this website should be construed as or is intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment. Under no circumstances is a particular treatment recommended and in all cases it is recommended that a physician be consulted for any treatments. Reference to any specific commercial or noncommercial products, services, processes, companies or trademarks does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. Elaine Moore does not host any form of commercial advertisement, does not sponsor or endorse any products or services that may have been mentioned at the site. This excludes mention of her own copyrighted materials, articles, and books. The opinions, views and recommendations of individual registered members of this website, specifically as it pertains to personal inquiries at the Q&A forum or comments made to blogs, are their own and do not necessarily represent those of Elaine Moore.