Thyroid testing

It is not clear whether people who do not have any risk factors and who do not have any symptoms of thyroid problems—which include an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism), an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism), thyroid nodules, and thyroid cancer—need to be screened for thyroid problems.

The American Thyroid Association recommends that all adults be tested beginning at age 35 and continuing every 5 years.¹ However, after reviewing all of the research, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has not recommended for or against routine thyroid testing.² Some other groups suggest that people who are high risk—women older than 60 and anyone with a family history of thyroid disease or who has other autoimmune diseases—may want to be screened.³ Talk to your doctor about whether you need to be tested for thyroid problems.

People who have a family history of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) may want to have a genetic test. Before having the test, it is a good idea to talk with a genetic counselor. He or she can help you understand what your test results may mean.

For more information, see the topics Hyperthyroidism, Hypothyroidism, Thyroid Nodules, and Thyroid Cancer.

Citations

1. Ladenson PW, et al. (2000). American Thyroid Association guidelines for detection of thyroid dysfunction. Archives of Internal Medicine, 160: 1573–1575.
2. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (2004). Screening for thyroid disease: Recommendation statement. Annals of Internal Medicine, 140: 125–141.
3. Surks MI, et al. (2004). Subclinical thyroid disease: Scientific review and guidelines for diagnosis and management. JAMA, 291(2): 228–238.