Thyroidology
In thyroidological clinic we examine and treat patients with thyroid gland changes and altered thyroid function. The examination consists of a conversation about the patient’s problems, clinical, and, if necessary, ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland, and measuring the serum level of thyrotropin (TSH), thyroid hormones and thyroid autoantibodies in a laboratory.
Basic information about the examination
Locations of thyroidology examinations
- Bled | Pod skalo 4, 4260 Bled
The first medical examination
The first examination of a patient comprises a discussion of the patient’s problems (history), a directed clinical examination of the thyroid gland and symptoms caused by abnormal thyroid function, an inspection of the size of the thyroid gland, possible tuberous changes in the structure of the thyroid and thyroid ultrasound (US), as well as a blood test to determine the level of serum thyrotropin (TSH), by which we assess thyroid function.
If necessary, we also determine the serum levels of thyroid hormones, perform biochemical and haematological tests, an electrocardiogram (ECG) and X-ray of the trachea and oesophagus.
For the first examination in the specialist Thyroidological Clinic, the patient needs a referral from a personal physician. Patients without the appropriate referral will be regarded as self-paying clients.
The collection of blood for determining the serum level of TSH and thyroid hormones does not require that a patient is under fasted conditions. It is important that at each examination at a thyroid clinic, patients have a precise knowledge of medications which they are taking regularly for any other disease. It is also desirable that for their first examination in our Diagnostic Centre, the patients bring along any possibly existing medical reports from previous thyroid examinations and the test results of the serum level of thyroid hormones and TSH, if they have performed the tests already.
Emergency examination
Emergency examinations are performed in all patients with abnormal serum levels of thyroid hormones (free thyroxine-pT4 and free triiodothyronine-pT3), as well as in patients with painful and/or rapidly growing thyroid, immediately, with a previous agreement by phone.
Treatment and control examinations
The vast majority of patients with a thyroid disorder are treated with drugs (medications). These patients attend the appropriate control exams in the thyroidological clinic until the completion of their treatment and, if necessary, even after the completion of treatment, to ensure a timely detection of disease recurrence.
Some patients require surgical treatment of thyroid or a radioactive iodine therapy (131-I). This type of treatment is performed in the Clinical Centre or in the Institute of Oncology in Ljubljana. The follow-up examinations after these procedures are performed in the Thyroidological Clinic of Diagnostic centre Bled.