Clinical Assessment of the Thyroid Patient

Goitre and thyroid abnormalities are common in populations with both low and high iodine intake. A clinical investigation of the thyroid, including inspection, palpation, and auscultation of the thyroid gland, remains first-line evaluation for goitre and thyroid nodules. Clinical symptoms and signs of hyper- and hypothyroidism are many and may overlap considerably with complains and abnormalities commonly seen in other diseases and in apparently healthy people. The first-line test for thyroid dysfunction is measurement of thyroid-stimulation hormone (TSH) in serum. The diagnosis and evaluation of nosological type of thyroid disorder should be substantiated by further biochemical tests and imaging procedures. Interpretation of laboratory tests of thyroid function highly depend on information on medication and clinical conditions including pregnancy.