Extended thyroid tests – Hashimoto’s thyroiditis

Check if your symptoms point to autoimmune thyroiditis. Undergo comprehensive health examinations if you notice the symptoms of Hashimoto's thyroiditis in yourself or your loved ones.

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis: types of tests

Four blood tests

TSH test - is the basic test for diagnosing thyroid disease. Abnormally low TSH levels occur in patients with hyperthyroidism, while high levels point to hypothyroidism. The results of the TSH test in diagnosing Hashimoto’s thyroiditis should be interpreted in relation to the other values, as well as ultrasound results.

FT4 test - abnormal levels together with an abnormal TSH test result indicate thyroid abnormalities, including the development of Hashimoto's disease. The test is significant from the point of view of finding the cause of ailments only with simultaneous determination of TSH level.

Anti-TPO test - a significant increase in antibody titer is observed in Hashimoto's disease, lower but still outside the norm values ​​occur in patients suffering from other thyroid diseases, e.g. hypothyroidism.

ATG test - ATG levels are increased in approximately 20% of people with thyroid abnormalities. The test helps to differentiate between causes of hypothyroidism.

One imaging test

• Thyroid ultrasound - the test allows detecting abnormalities in the structure of the thyroid gland, checking for thyroid nodules and inflammation within this organ. During the test, the doctor assesses the size, location and structure of the thyroid gland. Thyroid ultrasound is a safe, non-invasive and painless test.

Why test yourself for Hashimoto’s disease?

To check if your thyroid is working properly. If any abnormalities are found, you will be able to start effective treatment quickly, which will prevent complications.

The test does not require a doctor's referral.

To check whether your ailments are related to thyroid dysfunction.

If a disorder is detected, you will know whether the thyroid disease is autoimmune.

The tests included in the package allow for an early detection of thyroid cancer.

You will save time. You don't have to wait for an appointment. All you have to do is come to the blood drawing station in the morning.

You will save money that you would have to spend on your doctor's appointment to refer you for the tests. The cost of tests within the package is lower than that of individual tests.

All tests can be done during one visit to the Medicover Centre

Please note that at Medicover Tarasy Grabiszynskie this health screening is not available for foreign language patients.

Package instructions:

Choose the most convenient location for you

First, select the city and medical centre where you would like to do the tests included in the package. Next, fill out the form and pay for the purchase in the MediStore.

How to make an appointment for the tests within the package?

• You do not need to make an appointment to collect the blood for laboratory tests.

All you have to do is come to the blood drawing station in the morning and bring your ID with you. Blood tests included in the package (TSH, FT4, ATPO and ATG) can be performed any day, during the opening hours of the blood drawing station.

The exact opening hours of the blood drawing stations in individual Medicover Centres are available at www.medicover.pl.

To make an appointment for the thyroid ultrasound call the hotline and choose a convenient time with the consultant, or immediately after having your blood drawn at the Medicover Centre, ask about the thyroid ultrasound at the reception desk.

Test results

You can collect your test results at the blood drawing station within 3 business days.

If you are a Medicover patient and you have a password to the Medicover OnLine platform, you can check the results online.

Hashimoto’s disease

Hashimoto's disease mainly affects women. One in eight Polish women suffers from it. It is determined by both genetic and environmental factors. If undiagnosed, it can lead to hypothyroidism, and in young women it can make it difficult to become pregnant and increase the risk of miscarriage. For women, it carries a risk of obesity and cardiovascular problems. If properly treated, the risk of complications from Hashimoto’s thyroiditis can be avoided, which is why regularly checking the thyroid gland is important.

The disease can develop over a long time without any symptoms. Hashimoto’s is often detected only when the thyroid gland is already largely damaged and there are signs of hypothyroidism.

Symptoms of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis

• fatigue,
• drowsiness,
• cold hands and feet,
• feeling of freezing,
• hair loss,
• dry skin
• brittle nails
• weight gain
• constipation,
• problems with concentration and memory,
• menstrual disorders
• infertility,
• low blood pressure,
• swelling.

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is treated by eliminating the effects of the disease, not the cause.

Thyroid hormone norms

Thyroid hormone norms may differ between laboratories due to different methods of testing used. You should not attempt to interpret the results yourself or individually. The results must be interpreted in combination with other thyroid hormone test results that are included in the package.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• Thyroid tests are available at Medicover Centres in all major Polish cities. To make an appointment for the ultrasound, please call the hotline or make the appointment at the reception desk during your visit to the blood drawing station.
• You can do all the blood tests at a single visit at the Medicover Centre.
• You have 3 months (from the date indicated in the order confirmation) to complete all the tests included in the package.
• You can do the tests included in the package at the Medicover Centre of your choice in all major Polish cities: Warsaw, Wrocław, Kraków, Katowice, Poznań, Gdańsk, Gdynia, Szczecin, Lublin, and Łódź.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE TESTS?

DAY I

Blood test

• On the day before your blood tests, limit physical activity, eat light meals, and do not drink alcohol.
• On the day of the test you should be fasting, i.e. do not eat or drink anything for 12 hours before the blood test.
• If you need to take medication or are very thirsty, you can drink a glass of still mineral water.

DAY II

Thyroid ultrasound

A thyroid ultrasound does not require any special preparation.

HOW TO RESCHEDULE A VISIT?

If you are unable to make your scheduled appointment for the ultrasound at the Medicover Centre please cancel it by calling the Customer Service Centre at 500 900 500. Otherwise, you will be responsible for the cost of the re-scheduled visit.

It is not necessary to make an appointment for or reschedule the date of the blood test. Just come to the blood drawing station at any time in the morning.