7 Important Health Checks for People With Hypothyroidism

To keep on top of other aspects of your health, consider talking with your doctor about these seven tests, most of which use blood or urine samples.

1. Lipid Panel

This test looks at the lipids, or fats, in your blood. People with hypothyroidism may have elevated total and LDL cholesterol levels. Total cholesterol, which includes your good HDL cholesterol, should be below 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), according to MedlinePlus. If your cholesterol is high when you start thyroid treatment, your doctor may test again after thyroid hormone levels stabilize. Research has shown that total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels are often increased in patients with hypothyroidism. “A lot of patients with high cholesterol can have their cholesterol reduced just by treating their thyroid,” says David Borenstein, MD, an integrative medicine physician in private practice at Manhattan Integrative Medicine in New York City.

RELATED: What You Need to Know About Cholesterol When You Have Hypothyroidism

2. Complete Blood Count (CBC)

“With more severe hypothyroid disease, you are at risk for mild anemia and bleeding problems, and that can have an effect on clotting factors and platelets,” says Dr. Pearce.

A CBC includes blood components with the following normal ranges, though they may vary depending on your lab:

• Red Blood Cell Count 3.9–5.69 millions per cubic milliliter
• Hemoglobin 12.6–16.1 grams/dL
• Hematocrit 38–47.7 percent
• White Blood Cell Count 3.3–8.7 thousands per cubic milliliter
• Platelet Count 147–347 thousands per cubic milliliter

3. Liver Enzyme Exam

Liver function tests check on the health of this organ. Research has suggested that not only does the liver play a role in the chemical process that develops thyroid hormones, but untreated hypothyroidism can cause problems in liver function over time. Additionally, sometimes people with hypothyroidism also have liver problems that need attention, research shows.

The results of a liver panel test can’t diagnose a condition, but the pattern of results along with symptoms will help your doctor decide on any next steps. This blood test usually includes alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), total protein, albumin, total bilirubin, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), according to the Mayo Clinic. If any of your results are abnormal, your doctor may wish to conduct further testing.

RELATED: 11 Things You Only Understand if You Have Hypothyroidism

4. Prolactin Test

The prolactin hormone stimulates lactation, or breast milk — and people with untreated hypothyroidism often have increased prolactin levels, according to a study. Normal levels for women who are not pregnant are 0 to 20 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL); and for men, it’s 0 to 15 ng/mL. Because galactorrhea (spontaneously producing breast milk) improves with thyroid treatment, your doctor may not test for this unless the problem persists. If you have persistent amenorrhea (lack of menstruation), your doctor may also carry out this test.

5. Sodium Test

Sodium (salt) is essential to your body’s management of water or fluids. The Mayo Clinic notes that normal sodium blood test results are 135 to 145 milliequivalents per liter (meq/L), but in severe cases, sodium levels may be lower than normal, such as when hypothyroidism is left untreated, per the Mayo Clinic.

RELATED: Warning Signs and Symptoms of Hypothyroidism

6. Sleep Disorder Testing

You may also need sleep testing in addition to lab tests. Sleep apnea and disordered sleep can result from hypothyroidism, says Claudia Cooke, MD, an integrative medicine specialist in private practice in New York City. This is because hypothyroidism can affect the tongue’s mobility, causing it to block breathing at night. A sleep study can help you find out if this is an issue by monitoring your sleep in a sleep lab, notes the Sleep Foundation. Testing may also be conducted at your home using portable equipment, notes Johns Hopkins Medicine. This test could be warranted if you’ve had thyroid treatment and your TSH levels are acceptable and stable, yet you wake up tired, feel tired during the day, and your bed partner tells you that you’re snoring considerably.

7. Nutrient Check for Vitamin D and Magnesium Deficiency

People with hypothyroidism and certain other deficiencies may have too little magnesium, an essential mineral, according to a study. Normal blood test results are 1.7 to 2.2 mg/dL, per MedlinePlus. The same goes for a deficiency in vitamin D, notes a review. These tests are usually only needed in the case of muscle aches that persist despite hypothyroidism treatment.

RELATED: 9 Foods to Avoid With Hypothyroidism

Additional reporting by Jennifer Geddes.