usually....t3/t4 measurements and TSH level will frequently tell the story. If your TSH is higher than 3 more progressive docs will reccomend treatment. More conservative docs might opt to wait til tsh of 5 or more, but if you feel yucky, you might push for treatment. If you have hashimotos, which is the most common cause of hypothyroidism, you can tell for sure by measuring for TPO antibodies.

In my case, TSH was 6 at first but t3/t4 levels were OK so my endo/primary care doc did not want to treat me. I knew it was high, so instead of arguing with him i asked if there were any other test that could confirm a problem, and he offered the TPO antibody test. When my antibody level came back "to the moon" high at 10,000 or so, i didn't have to ask to be treated I am pretty sure TPO antibodies are present before problems with thyroid performance show up, so this test can also be a good indicator of a potential problem.


So for the most part, i think a few blood tests will do it. Of course, I am not a doctor, just a disabled engineer, so don't take my word as 100% fact.

johanna


PS about.com is a great site for info about thyroid problems.