Can you be misdiagnosed for hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism is a real condition, but it's frequently misdiagnosed in functional medicine because of a theory about what TSH and T4 lab ranges should be– even though research and clinical experience continue to disprove this.


What mimics the symptoms of hypothyroidism?

What can mimic hypothyroidism? Several conditions can cause symptoms that are similar to those of hypothyroidism. Examples include Addison's disease, anemia, depression, perimenopause, chronic fatigue syndrome, nutritional deficiencies, sleep apnea, and other thyroid disorders.

What condition is commonly mistaken for thyroid symptoms?

It's a well-known fact that depression has physical symptoms, many of which are identical to thyroid disease. The most common symptoms of depression are vague aches and pains. Other symptoms include back pain, joint pain, gastrointestinal problems, sleep disturbances, fatigue, weight gain or weight loss.


How often is thyroid misdiagnosed?

The TRH-test proved to be least erroneous, technical reasons being the cause of the 9.6% of misdiagnoses.

Can you get a false negative for hypothyroidism?

A person is a false negative when they are denied the diagnosis and therapy for overt hypothyroidism because they are miscategorized as subclinical.


Why is Hypothyroidism Easily Misdiagnosed?



What can throw off thyroid test?

Outside factors may affect the results of your thyroid blood test. This can include whether or not you ate before your test, what time of day you take the test, and things like stress, diet, and sleep. Some medications and supplements may also affect your results. This may be because they change your thyroid function.

How do you prove hypothyroidism?

A blood test measuring your hormone levels is the only accurate way to find out whether there's a problem. The test, called a thyroid function test, looks at levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroxine (T4) in the blood.

Why are thyroid test not accurate?

TSH is only one small piece of the thyroid function puzzle and does not give an accurate reflection of how your thyroid is working. It doesn't tell us how well the TSH is being converted to its active form nor does it tell us how well the body is using it!


Why is it so hard to diagnose hypothyroidism?

It can actually be difficult to diagnose hypothyroidism because the symptoms can be easily confused with other conditions. If you have any of the symptoms of hypothyroidism, talk to your healthcare provider. The main way to diagnose hypothyroidism is a blood test called the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) test.

Do thyroid issues always show up in blood tests?

The production, conversion, and uptake of thyroid hormone in the body involves several steps. A malfunction in any of these steps can cause hypothyroid symptoms, but may not show up on standard lab tests. All cases of hypothyroidism do not share the same cause—and, as you might guess, they require different treatments.

Can you have symptoms of hypothyroidism but blood tests are normal?

Yes, it is possible to have hypothyroidism and normal TSH levels in the blood. Most people with hypothyroidism have high TSH because their thyroid gland is not releasing enough hormones.


What diseases mimic hyperthyroidism?

Advanced Study
  • Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
  • Hyperthyroidism.
  • Allergic rhinitis.
  • Benign prostatic hyperplasia.
  • Common cold.
  • Crohn disease.
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease.
  • Chronic fatigue syndrome.


Can hypothyroidism come on suddenly?

Autoimmune hypothyroidism can begin suddenly, but in most people it develops slowly over years. The most common form of autoimmune hypothyroidism is called Hashimoto's disease. This can sometimes cause the thyroid to shrink over time.

Can your TSH levels be normal and still have hypothyroidism?

Normal TSH values may not rule out patients that are hypothyroid. It is possible that a large number of hypothyroid individuals are missed using TSH as a screening tool, which is a problem for the patient, who remains hypothyroid, and to the healthcare system as a whole.


What if my TSH is normal but I still have symptoms?

Additionally, it is important to realize that levels that are sometimes considered “normal” are actually a sign of a thyroid problem. Most doctors consider TSH levels that are between 0.5 and 5.0 normal. However, a patient who is still experiencing a range of thyroid symptoms may be hyperthyroid or hypothyroid.

What can cause high TSH besides thyroid?

Causes of High TSH
  • 1) Hypothyroidism (Underactive Thyroid) TSH often increases in response to an underactive thyroid gland (primary hypothyroidism) [1]. ...
  • 2) Iodine Deficiency or Excess. ...
  • 3) Obesity. ...
  • 4) Radiation Therapy. ...
  • 5) Pituitary Tumors. ...
  • 6) Some Toxins, Drugs, and Supplements. ...
  • 7) Rare Genetic Disorders. ...
  • 8) Aging.


What is the most accurate test for hypothyroidism?

Blood tests for your thyroid include: TSH - measures thyroid-stimulating hormone. It is the most accurate measure of thyroid activity.


How accurate is blood test for hypothyroidism?

While a simple TSH blood test is a very accurate way to screen for hypothyroidism, an elevated TSH alone may not be enough to confirm the diagnosis.

At what age is hypothyroidism usually diagnosed?

Also called underactive thyroid, hypothyroidism usually affects people over the age of 60 and is more common in women than men. It may be discovered through a routine blood test or after symptoms begin.

Can you have a false high TSH?

Most TSH assays used clinically are sandwich immunoassays where one solid phase-bound antibody captures the TSH molecule and a second labeled antibody is used to detect bound TSH. Antibodies present in the patient samples can form a bridge between the capture and detection antibody causing false positive results [1].


What time of day is TSH highest?

Circulating TSH shows a normal circadian rhythm with a peak between 11 pm and 5 am and a nadir between 5 pm and 8 pm.

What can cause false low TSH levels?

False results can be due to the presence of macro-TSH, biotin, Antistreptavidin antibodies, Antiruthenium antibodies and Heterophilic antibodies [2, 3].

What TSH level is considered hypothyroidism?

A TSH level of 10 mIU/L or higher is typically indicative of hypothyroidism. A TSH level of 4.5 to 10 mIU/L is considered indicative of subclinical hypothyroidism.


What is the main cause of hypothyroidism?

The most common cause of hypothyroidism is an autoimmune disease called Hashimoto's disease. Autoimmune diseases happen when the immune system makes antibodies that attack healthy tissues. Sometimes that process involves the thyroid gland and affects its ability to make hormones.

What organs are affected by hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism can affect the heart and circulatory system in several ways. Lower production of thyroid hormone slows your heart rate. Hypothyroidism also makes the arteries less elastic, and blood pressure rises in order to circulate blood around the body.