Test Components:

The Thyroid Panel includes the following tests:

1. Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
2. T4 Total
3. T3 Uptake
4. Thyroxine Index

Description:

The thyroid gland is responsible for regulating how your body uses energy. The thyroid also produces hormones critical to proper cell and system functioning.

The Thyroid Panel screens for thyroid disease, hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism by examining your body’s production of the thyroid hormones TSH, T3 and T4. This panel also includes your Thyroxine Index – basically a math computation estimate based on your T4 and T3 tests.

There are two types of thyroid disorders including:

• Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) – symptoms may include fatigue, weight gain, a short attention span, and numbness or cold intolerance.
• Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) – symptoms may include weight loss, persistent vomiting, increased blood pressure, hair loss or a persistently fast heart rate.

Why Do I Need It?:

Are you always tired? Does your weight fluctuate?

It may be the result of a dysfunctional thyroid. If there is a thyroid level imbalance in your body, you may be more susceptible to everything from osteoporosis and heart disease to infertility and fatigue.

Thyroid disorders are more common in women and they often occur after pregnancy and with older age.

Find out now if you have hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.

Other Relevant Tests:

Customers who purchase the Thyroid Panel often choose to add the Comprehensive Male Panel or the Comprehensive Female Panel.

Test Details:

Normal Range:

High Results Indicate:

TSH: Elevated levels can indicate hypothyroidism, thyroid hormone resistance or TSH dependent hyperthyroidism.

T4 TOTAL: Elevated levels can indicate that the thyroid is producing too much thyroxine or overdosing of thyroid hormone replacement medication.

T3 UPTAKE: Elevated levels can indicate kidney failure, hyperthyroidism or protein malnutrition.

Low Results Indicate:

TSH: Low levels can indicate hyperthyroidism or TSH deficiency.

T4 TOTAL: Low levels can indicate that the thyroid is not producing enough thyroid hormone, hypothyroidism or under dosing of thyroid hormone replacement medication.

T3 UPTAKE: Low levels can indicate acute hepatitis, hypothyroidism or that you are taking estrogen.

What Type of Physician Should You See?

You should see your primary care physician. If needed, you may be referred to an endocrinologist.

Next Steps:

1. Buy test - either at the store or online. (*If online, don't forget to print out receipt!)
2. Fill out necessary paperwork and how you want to receive the test results.
3. Get results.
4. Review results.
5. If your results are 'abnormal' or 'out-of-range' from the normal, please contact your physician. (*The interpretation of any laboratory test should be made only by a licensed physician.)