Symptoms caused by hormonal issues—such as fatigue, weakness and more—can look like those of many other common conditions, so correctly diagnosing an endocrine disorder can take a bit of detective work.
Once you’ve received a preliminary diagnosis from your primary care doctor, endocrinologists at Sutter Health can use a variety of lab tests to measure the levels of various hormones in your body. These tests may reveal which endocrine system glands are not working correctly.
Blood Tests
- Tests to detect diabetes and prediabetes include the blood glucose test and the glycosylated hemoglobin test (A1c). Pregnant women may have glucose tolerance tests to screen for gestational diabetes.
- Several tests can see how well your thyroid is working, primarily thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).
- Blood tests for luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol can help to detect female hormonal issues.
- Tests for total testosterone can pinpoint male hormonal issues.
- Other blood tests detect levels of the hormones cortisol, 17 hydroxyprogesterone, androstenedione, DHEA-sulfate, ACTH, aldosterone, vitamin D, PTH, prolactin and various forms of estrogen.
- Tests for thyroglobulin (Tg) levels can monitor thyroid cancer.
Imaging Exams
Your endocrinologist may order a number of imaging exams to look at the functionality of your endocrine system.
- Several hormones can affect your bone density and put you at risk for osteoporosis. A bone density scan, a simple x-ray, can assess your bone health.
- An MRI of the pituitary gland can reveal abnormalities of that structure.
- An orbit CT scan may be needed to check the area around the eyes for evidence of Graves’ disease, a thyroid disorder.
- A radioactive iodine uptake test and scan, assesses thyroid function by measuring how avidly the thyroid absorbs iodine.
- Ultrasound imaging with fine needle aspiration may be used to look at the structure of the thyroid.
Don’t suffer with hormonal issues any longer. Let one of our expert endocrinologists help restore you to good health.
