Debate Over Thyroid Testing

(CBS)  Millions of Americans suffer from underactive thyroid glands, and most don't even know it can cause a variety of health problems. Proper testing has long been deemed the key to getting the right treatment.

But, reports The Early Show medical correspondent Dr. Emily Senay, there is some debate in the medical community about the accuracy of those tests and their importance in diagnosing thyroid problems.

The thyroid, Senay explains, sits in the front of the throat, a butterfly-shaped gland just below the Adam's apple. It secretes hormones that regulate growth and the way the body uses energy.

Problems usually result when the gland isn't producing enough of the hormone, a condition known as hypothyroidism.

Hormone fluctuations can happen during pregnancy or menopause, or be caused by infections and some medications. Some people are born with an underactive thyroid.

The most common thyroid disease, Senay continues, is an immune system disorder linked to aging, in which the body destroys its own thyroid cells and the lack of the hormones causes a body-wide slowdown. Older women, especially, are more prone to this kind of thyroid problem, but not everyone will automatically develop thyroid disease just because they get older.

Symptoms of thyroid problems can include memory lapses, depression, fatigue, feeling chilled or increased sensitivity to cold, weight gain or trouble losing weight, high cholesterol, thinning hair, dry skin and puffy eyes.

Many of those symptoms may also be symptoms of other problems, so you really need to see a doctor for a diagnosis.

Underactive thyroid is diagnosed by blood test, and can be treated by prescribing thyroid hormone.

It's important to talk to your doctor about a test for thyroid disease if you suspect you may be suffering from it, Senay emphasizes.

Many doctors reacted with concern to opinions expressed during an interview on The Early Show last month in which Dr. Steven Hotze cast some doubt on the effectiveness of the standard blood tests for thyroid disease for use in making a decision on whether to treat with thyroid hormone.

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