Diagnosing Graves' Disease (Hyperthyroid state):

Graves' disease symptoms vary so the following procedures are used to diagnose Graves' disease:

• Physical Examination - If your doctor suspects that you have Graves' disease, a thorough physical examination and medical history will be able to confirm the diagnosis.
• Blood Test - A simple blood test will measure your thyroid hormone levels, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroxine (thyroid hormone). Low levels of TSH and high levels of thyroxine may indicate Graves' Disease.
• Radioactive Iodine Uptake - The body needs iodine to produce thyroxine. A radioactive scan or image will determine if the thyroid is making too much or too little thyroxine. A high uptake of radioactive iodine indicates that your thyroid gland is producing too much thyroxine, which is consistent with Graves' disease.