Test For Thyroid Function, Which Plays a Major Part in Wellness, Weight and Energy

Though a part of the body that many people know little about, the thyroid plays a major part in daily wellness.

Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism -- too much thyroid activity and too little thyroid activity, respectively -- are cause for concern. Because your thyroid controls much of your metabolism, which plays a vital role in your overall health, it’s important to monitor thyroid function, as it is estimated that up to twelve percent of the population in the United States will develop thyroid disease during their lifetime. That’s almost fifteen million people who have thyroid problems that affect their metabolism and are unaware.

Anybody can experience thyroid issues but some people are more susceptible than others:

• Women (up to 10 times more likely than men to have thyroid disorder)
• People with a family history of thyroid issues
• Adults aged 50+
• Individuals with Type 1 Diabetes
• Women who have been pregnant within the past 6 months
• People being treated with lithium for six months or more
• Those with iodine exposure or deficiency
• Smokers
• People who have been exposed to radiation therapy, especially around the neck

Working with certified and experienced labs, our thyroid panel uses sample from your blood test to accurately measure various thyroid-specific hormones and compare those levels to common ranges for those markers.

The at-home thyroid test measures Free T4, Free T3, TSH, and TPO from a small blood spot sample taken with your kit.

TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) controls thyroid function in its production of active thyroid hormones, Free T4, and Free T3, which together control the rate at which your body uses energy. The test also measures TPO antibodies, which are antibodies that your body may make that can suppress thyroid function. By measuring your levels of each, you can learn about whether your thyroid may be over- or under-functioning.

EverlyWell will provide detailed information of what a high or low level of TPO, Free T4, Free T3, or TSH means for your health.

The at-home thyroid blood test is a convenient starting point for determining whether you may have a thyroid condition and will give you indication of what you should do next. Stay on top of your health from the convenience of your home with our at-home thyroid test.

Our tests provide personalized information and education; they are not intended to diagnose any disease or condition or to substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. You should always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you have regarding your medical care.

If your thyroid gland isn’t working correctly, it may be:

• Underactive (hypothyroidism) – This means the thyroid is not producing enough thyroid hormone. Symptoms of hypothyroidism can include weight gain, fatigue, sensitivity to cold, muscle aches, and more.
• Overactive (hyperthyroidism) – This means the thyroid is producing too much thyroxine (or T4). Symptoms of hyperthyroidism can include unexpected weight loss, nervousness and anxiousness, frequent sweating, heat insensitivity, and more.

Learn more: Signs of an Underactive Thyroid

If your thyroid is under-producing, you may experience ongoing symptoms including:

• Sluggishness & Fatigue
• Weight Gain
• Muscle Weakness, Aches, Tenderness
• Depression
• Cold Sensitivity
• Mental Fogginess
• Irregular or Heavier Than Normal Periods
• Constipation
• Dry Skin & Thinning Hair
• Low Blood Sugar
• High Cholesterol

If your thyroid is overactive you may experience symptoms like:

• Unexpected or Unusual Weight Loss
• Rapid Heartbeat
• Increased Appetite
• Nervousness & Anxiousness
• Shaking or Trembling
• Frequent Sweating
• Heat Sensitivity
• More Frequent Bowel Movements
• Swelling in the Neck from Enlarged Thyroid
• Sleep Difficulty

Learn more: Checking Your Thyroid Levels at Home

What are thyroid hormones?

The thyroid is a small gland that sits at the front of your neck. It’s responsible for controlling many of the body’s key activities – such as metabolism. It does this by releasing specific hormones into the bloodstream.

A hormone is small chemical messenger that allows different parts of your body to “talk” with each other. The thyroid makes two kinds of hormones: thyroxine (or T4) and triiodothyronine (or T3). These hormones circulate in your blood, allowing the thyroid gland to regulate many of the body’s important functions, such as:

• Metabolism – Thyroid hormones tell the body when to burn fat, which gives you more energy. Thyroid hormones can also trigger the production of glucose – a sugar formed from carbohydrates – to provide your body with more energy.
• Heart rate – Thyroid hormones can affect your resting heart rate (the number of times your heart beats in a minute when you’re at rest).
• Internal body temperature – Thyroid hormones are involved in regulating your body’s internal temperature – so the thyroid gland acts a bit like a thermostat that helps make sure your body doesn’t get too cool or too hot.

What’s more, thyroid hormones can contribute to more wakefulness and alertness because of how they affect the nervous system.

In short, your body requires the right balance of thyroid hormones in order to effectively carry out many of its functions.

Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH)

While the thyroid gland helps regulate many processes in the body, another gland (the pituitary) is in charge of controlling the thyroid’s activity. The pituitary gland does this by releasing a hormone of its own – thyroid-stimulating hormone, or TSH – into the bloodstream, which carries TSH to the thyroid gland.

TSH tells the thyroid to pump out more thyroid hormones. So when your body needs more thyroid hormones, the pituitary gland will increase the amount of TSH in your blood. Thus, if a thyroid test shows you have a high level of TSH, this can mean that your thyroid is underactive: it’s not making enough hormones. It can also mean that more TSH is required to keep thyroid hormone levels normal, which may indicate an evolving problem with the thyroid gland itself.

How does a blood test for hyperthyroidism work?

A blood test for hyperthyroidism evaluates your levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and the thyroid hormones T3 and T4. Because TSH signals the thyroid gland to produce more thyroid hormones, unusually low levels of TSH can mean that your thyroid is making too many hormones. T3 and T4 measurements can also reveal just how high your thyroid hormone levels are, which can help your healthcare provider decide on a treatment strategy.

What are thyroid nodules?

Thyroid nodules are small bumps that can form inside the thyroid gland. Approximately 90% of thyroid nodules are non-cancerous; however, in some cases, these nodules may suggest the presence of thyroid cancer. Also, thyroid nodules can sometimes alter thyroid hormone levels, resulting in either hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.

Women are about 4 times more likely than men to have thyroid nodules. And older age, a history of thyroid radiation, and iron deficiency are all linked with a greater likelihood of having thyroid nodules.

• Checking Your Thyroid Levels at Home
• Signs of an Under-Active Thyroid