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Description
Standard Thyroid Blood Test
Thyroid issues are a relatively common health condition and occur in both men and women, but are more likely to occur in women. Thyroid symptoms are frequently linked with other health conditions, such as menopause, anaemia or a deficiency in Vitamin D.
Why take a Thyroid blood test?
The thyroid is a gland that is responsible for producing the hormones that control metabolism. Sometimes, a thyroid gland that isn’t working as it should can cause certain symptoms. There are two main thyroid disorders that occur when the thyroid gland does not produce the right amounts of hormones, each of which has different symptoms associated with them. They are hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.
Hyperthyroidism – or excessive thyroid hormone production – includes symptoms such as:
anxiety, irritability, restlessness, a racing heart, increased sweating, sleep issues, thinning skin, brittle nails and hair, weight loss, muscle weakness and, when Graves disease occurs, bulging eyes.
How to test for hyperthyroidism
Testing for hyperthyroidism can be done with an easy-to-use finger-prick blood test that will measure the thyroid hormones (thyroxine (FT4) and the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in your blood. Results that show a high thyroxine and low TSH levels indicate an overactive thyroid gland.
Treatment for hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid, should be discussed with your GP or healthcare professional and can include medication, surgery or a substantial dose of radioactive iodine.
If the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough of the thyroid hormones, hypothyroidism – or an underactive thyroid – will occur and has different symptoms.
How often do I need to check my thyroid levels
We recommend checking your thyroid levels when you experience any health changes or symptoms listed.
Other Questions
- Dry skin
- Fatigue
- Increased sensitivity to the cold
- Constipation
- Slow heart rate
- Weight gain
- Memory issues
- Depression
- Weakness
- Coma
This blood test is to check on:
- Thyroid function
For best results (if medically suitable) it is advisable to fast (water is allowed) 12 hours prior to the test which needs to be taken first thing in the morning and posted on the same day on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday.
Collection method: Finger prick
Results available: 2-5 days after the sample has reached the laboratory.
Free Thyroxine (Free T4)
This test will measure the amount of free thyroxine in your blood, it will measure how well your thyroid gland is working. T4 is one of the major thyroid hormones in your blood. If the results are too high or too low it can indicate thyroid disease.
Free T3 (FT3)
This test measures the level of triiodothyronine (T3) in your blood. T3 along with T4 are the two major thyroid hormones in your blood. T3 blood test may be used to diagnose hyperthyroidism. If the results are too high or too low it can indicate thyroid disease.
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
This test will measure how much TSH is in your blood.
TSH is made in your pituitary, (a gland in your brain) when your thyroid levels are low the pituitary gland makes more TSH and when the thyroid levels are high your pituitary makes less TSH This result indicates how well the thyroid is working.
How it Works
1. Order and Receive Your Test
Order your Blood Test.
Receive it directly at home or work.
Delivered by courier with Free shipping.
2. Take the Easy Finger-prick Blood Test
Activate your test online.
Collect 2-3 drops of blood.
3. Freepost your Blood sample to our laboratories
Use the pre-paid package to post to our laboratories.
Simply drop it into your nearest high-priority Royal Mail postbox.
4. Our laboratory team run the tests
Tests are run by our staff in a clean and secure environment.
All possible measures are taken to keep Vampires out.
5. Receive Your Results within 7 days
We will email you to inform you that your blood test results are ready.
Login to your account to review the results.
6. Track your levels over time
With regular ongoing tests, you can track your results.
Check if you’re improving healthily or where changes could be made.
What’s In The Test?
Home to laboratory kit
- Blood Test
- A prepaid return envelope (UK & Ireland only)
- Two single-use lancets
- One blood collection tube
- One blood collection tube label
- One plastic blood collection tube case
- Two adhesive plasters
- A cleansing wipe
