Urinary Thyroid Assessment

General urine analysis screens for a variety of disorders. The tests check color, odor, and cloudiness. They also detect and measure a variety of cells and substances in the urine. Examples are protein, sugar, liver products, and blood cells. Some of the findings relate to kidney or urinary tract disorders. Other findings help diagnose systemic diseases. For the patient the procedure is quite simple. There is usually no fluid or food restriction before the test. 

Abnormal findings indicate certain problems. For example, protein in the urine suggests kidney disease. Sugar usually indicates diabetes. Certain substances indicate liver disease. A variety of problems cause bleeding in the urinary tract. White blood cells indicate an infection in the urinary tract. Bacteria or yeast also indicate infection. Some abnormal findings are not caused by only one disease. Combined with other symptoms and history, they help doctors pinpoint diseases. They also provide an early warning for certain diseases.

 

Importance of Thyroid Assessment

As many as 2 million Canadians could have undiagnosed thyroid disease.  Thyroid disease referst o both hypo and hyperthyriodism, with hypothyroidism being the most common, therefore early detection is vital. 

 

Common Thyroid Related Conditions

Hormones produced by the thyroid gland are involded in regulating heart rate, body temperature, blood pressure and weight.  They can also increase energy, help food move through the gastrointestinal tract and increase perspiration.  Due to their broad effects, deficiencies of thyriod hormone can result in a number of health conditions including:

• Depression
• Fatigue
• Coldness
• Arthritis and muscle cramps
• Headaches
• Weight gain
• Poor reflexes

 

Why Do A Urinary Thyroid Assessment? 

• TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) is a hormone secreted in the brain to control thyroid function.  Many men and women have normal serum  (blood) TSH  levels despite having classic symptoms of low thyroid function.  The urinary throid assessment offers an alternate means of measuring thyroid function when the patient is symptomatic but conventional serum tests are normal.  

• If heavy metal toxicity or high levels of cortisol are present, TSH levels in serum may be normal, even if thyroid function is poor.

• Patients who are taking thyroid hormones (Synthroid or Eltroxin) may experience low thyroid symptoms even though serum TSH is normal.  This is because the serum TSH frequently fails to reflect how well supplemented thyroid hormone is being delivered to tissue.