Compare the leading brands testing Thyroid Function

The Thyroid gland is a small butterfly-shaped gland in the neck, just in front of the windpipe on your neck. Its role is to produce hormones to regulate the body’s metabolism, the process that turns food into energy as well as regulating your heartbeat, weight, mood, and other bodily functions. Having too much or too few of these hormones can cause health conditions that require treatment.

An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) is where your thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones, with symptoms including tiredness, weight gain and depression.

An overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism or thyrotoxicosis) products too much of the thyroid hormones, causing symptoms such as irritability, mood swings, tiredness, weight loss and a sensitivity to heat.

1 in 20 people in the UK have a thyroid disorder. A health test will show you how your thyroid gland is functioning and whether you have an underactive or overactive thyroid gland. If you have any symptoms of hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, a family history of thyroid infection, or an autoimmune disorder, then a health test can help you find the answers you need.

Why get tested for Thyroid Function?

The thyroid gland controls many aspects of your health and bodily functions, from regulating your body’s metabolism, heartbeat, weight, mood, muscle development and other bodily functions. If you have a thyroid disorder (overactive or underactive) and understand the problem, you can get the required treatment to alleviate your symptoms.

What are the symptoms of an overactive Thyroid (hyperthyroidism)?

The most common symptoms of an overactive thyroid gland, or hyperthyroidism, are:

• Anxiety, Nervousness, and irritability
• Weight Loss
• Mood swings
• Difficulty sleeping
• Tiredness
• Sensitivity to heat
• Muscle Weakness
• Diarrhoea
• Itchiness
• Urinating more frequently.

If left untreated, an overactive thyroid can cause serious health problems such as thinning of bones, vision loss, a higher risk of heart disease, and fertility problems.

What are the symptoms of an underactive Thyroid (hypothyroidism)?

The most common symptoms of an underactive thyroid gland, or hypothyroidism, are:

• Weight gain
• Tiredness
• Sensitivity to cold
• Constipation
• Depression
• Muscle Aches and Weakness
• Muscle Cramps
• Brittle hair and Nails
• Irregular periods or heavy periods
• Thinning of the skin

If left untreated, an underactive thyroid can cause health problems such as hearing loss, anaemia, and a puffy-looking face, as well as leading to more serious conditions such as risk of heart attack and stroke.

How do I get tested for my Thyroid Function?

You can discover how your thyroid gland is functioning through a simple blood test for thyroid function, either through a home test or at a local clinic with an expert professional. The Thyroid blood test will measure the biomarkers blood, with the results confirming whether you have an overactive (hyperthyroidism) or underactive (hypothyroidism) thyroid gland, or if your thyroid gland it is working as it should be.

You can also use a Thyroid function blood test to check whether your Thyroid gland is improving if you have made lifestyle changes or on medication to remedy hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism problems.

The health test will test for some, or all, of the following biomarkers:

• Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
  Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), also known as thyrotropin, is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland of the brain. The release of TSH stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). These hormones regulate the body’s metabolism.
• Free Thyroxine (FT4)
  Free thyroxine (FT4) is the biologically active form of thyroxine, a hormone produced in the thyroid gland to regulate your metabolism. Evaluated levels of FT4 can indicate an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), whereas low FT4 levels can indicate an under active thyroid (hypothyroidism).
• Free Triiodothyronine (FT3)
  Free triiodothyronine (FT3) is one of two major hormones produced by the thyroid gland. FT3 is produced directly by the thyroid gland and is required to regulate metabolism.

Key points:

• Your Thyroid gland produces hormones to regulate the body’s metabolism, heartbeat, weight, mood, and other bodily functions. Having too much or too few of these hormones can cause health conditions that require treatment.
• An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) is where your thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones, with symptoms including tiredness, weight gain and depression.
• An overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism or thyrotoxicosis) products too much of the thyroid hormones, causing symptoms such as irritability, mood swings, tiredness, weight loss and a sensitivity to heat.
• 1 in 20 people in the UK have a thyroid disorder. A health test will show you how your thyroid gland is functioning and whether you have an underactive or overactive thyroid gland.
• You can receive your results to your thyroid function test within 48 hours.

How a Sample is Taken

For a Thyroid Function health test, a sample of your blood is taken and tested for Urea, Creatinine and Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (EGFR) biomarkers, which look at how your kidneys are functioning.

With most health tests, there are two options for taking a sample of blood, which is used to test for certain biomarkers. The two most common options are a finger-prick or venous draw:

Finger prick Draw:
Health Tests that take blood via the ‘finger-prick’ method are usually done within the comfort of your own home, enabling you to take a small amount of blood discreetly and conveniently when you want to.

Venous Draw:
Once you have booked your health test, you’ll be sent the blood kit which includes all the equipment needed for a professional blood draw by an experienced healthcare professional, with clinics available across the UK to take your sample.

Details about which option is available for this health test, are available when you compare the results.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How severe is an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism)?

  An overactive thyroid gland can cause a wide range of symptoms including weight loss, increased appetite, rapid or irregular heartbeat and vomiting. Not everyone experiences the same symptoms, or all of the symptoms. If undiagnosed or untreated, an overactive thyroid can cause heart failure and the risk of a stroke, which is why it’s very important to get any symptoms checked.

• If an underactive thyroid condition is not treated, what happens?

  An underactive thyroid, if left untreated or undiagnosed, can cause health problems such as hearing loss, anaemia, and a puffy-looking face, as well as leading to more serious conditions such as risk of heart attack and stroke.

• Do women get thyroid problems more than men?

  Thyroid conditions are commonly associated with women but 20% of thyroid disease cases occur in men. Since both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism have a wide range of symptoms, these symptoms are often mis-attributed to other health problems.

• Can you change a thyroid condition through diet?

  Certain foods can help your thyroid function, but there is no guaranteed way to reverse a thyroid condition through diet alone. Depending on the severity of your thyroid condition, for your hypothyroidism you may be prescribed a daily hormone replacement tablet by your doctor (Levothyroxine). Treatment for hyperthyroidism includes a medicine that stops your thyroid gland producing excess hormones.

• Is it possible to live without your thyroid gland?

  Yes, you can live without your thyroid gland, but you will need long-term hormone replacement medicine and therapy to give your body the hormones your thyroid gland would usually produce.