VEI Check · Thyroid

Looking at the thyroid
behind fatigue and palpitations

A thyroid test is useful when you have symptoms such as fatigue, weight change or palpitations, when you take thyroid medication and need follow-up, or when a nodule needs monitoring. An internal medicine specialist hears your symptoms and history, chooses the relevant items, checks your current status and sets a care plan.

VEI Clinic, Gangnam — VEI Check · Thyroid

Who This Is For

People with fatigue, weight change or unusual sensitivity to cold or heat
People with hair loss, constipation or diarrhea, low mood or anxiety, palpitations or sleep problems
People with a lump or swelling in the neck, throat pressure or a hoarse voice
People who are pregnant, planning pregnancy or need a check after childbirth
People taking thyroid medication or medication that can affect the thyroid
People with a personal or family history of autoimmune disease

What We Test

The specialist chooses only the items you need based on your symptoms and goals.

Blood tests: TSH, free T4, and free T3 when needed
Antibody tests (case by case): TPOAb, TgAb, TRAb and TSI
Follow-up after thyroid cancer surgery: thyroglobulin and related markers as directed by a specialist
When needed, a thyroid ultrasound checks for nodules, size and inflammation
If an uptake scan or fine-needle aspiration is needed, we refer you to a partner hospital

Before Your Test

Routine thyroid blood tests do not require fasting
If you take thyroid medication in the morning, we may ask you to take it after the blood draw, so please check with us
If you take high-dose biotin, we may suggest pausing it for 48 to 72 hours because it can affect some tests
Please bring a list of your medications and supplements, including iodine or kelp, biotin and steroids
Let us know if you recently had a scan with contrast dye
Bring any previous blood test or ultrasound results

Visit Flow

Blood test results usually take 1 to 2 business days, and additional items such as antibodies take about 2 to 5 days.

Consultation: we review your symptoms, history, medications and pregnancy status or plans
Test selection: we choose the blood tests and, if needed, an ultrasound that fit your goals
Blood draw and testing
Results: we interpret them in light of your age, stage of pregnancy, symptoms and medications
Care plan: lifestyle guidance, medication adjustment or referral to specialist care when needed

Precautions

If you have chest pain, severe shortness of breath, heavy bleeding, confusion, signs of stroke or a high fever with dehydration, call 119 or go to an emergency room. Thyroid testing is not an emergency service.

How VEI Clinic Works

An internal medicine specialist tests only what you need after your consultation. If you have a nodule, we use the ultrasound findings and clinical guidelines to explain whether further testing is needed.

What thyroid numbers mean can vary from person to person, and the specialist decides after your consultation whether medication changes or further care are needed.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to fast?

Routine thyroid blood tests do not require fasting. If other tests are included, we will let you know in advance.

I take thyroid medication. What should I do on the test day?

Depending on the purpose of the test, we may ask you to take your medication after the blood draw. Please tell us about your medications when you book.

A health checkup found a thyroid nodule.

We check the size and features of the nodule with ultrasound, and if clinical guidelines call for fine-needle aspiration, we refer you to a partner hospital.

When will my results be ready?

Basic blood tests usually take 1 to 2 business days, and antibody tests take about 2 to 5 days.