Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

How is the disease diagnosed?

The doctor will take a medical history and complete a physical examination. He or she will usually order blood tests, including:

Additional blood tests or special X-ray tests can usually confirm the diagnosis of Hashimoto thyroiditis.

Sometimes a thyroid fine needle biopsy may be needed. To do a biopsy, the doctor will take a small sample of the thyroid gland with a special needle that he or she inserts through the skin. The doctor can look at this sample under a microscope to make the diagnosis.