Making the Diagnosis
Thyroid disease is diagnosed through laboratory tests and a physical exam. Laboratory tests usually measure levels of TSH and thyroid hormones. If your doctor suspects thyroid cancer, a biopsy can be used to sample the thyroid tissue and test for cancer.
Another method called a functional stimulation test can be used to distinguish whether the pituitary and thyroid glands are the source of medical symptoms. Ultrasounds and thyroid scans allow for visual examination of the thyroid gland or of nodules.