Question 28

Question:

A 20 year old female patient arrives to your office with a chief complaint of neck swelling. She also complains of weight gain and fatigue. What is the best initial diagnostic test to order?

Correct Answer: C.  TSH levels

This patient likely has Hashimoto’s thyroiditis given her age, gender, goiter and symptoms of hypothyroidism. Although antimicrosomal antibodies would likely be present, the initial screening test to measure thyroid function is TSH. In her case, it should be elevated because her thyroid is not producing enough thyroid hormone.