Thyroid Problems
Thyroid problems are the most common of all hormone problems and affect women more than men. Body functions of many tissues are controlled by thyroid hormones. Our thyroid screen is a blood test which measures all of the main thyroid hormones and thyroid antibodies.
The main Thyroid Disease charities recommend that Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Free T4 ( FT4), Free T3 ( FT3) and the thyroid antibodies antithyroglobulin and antithyroid peroxidase tests should be run for thyroid disease. This is the only way to give a full picture as to whether you have the illness and whether it is caused by thyroid antibodies. Many Labs will not run a T3 test even if specifically requested as they do not have the equipment.
Our laboratory test is the most complete test available. The National Health Service usually only measure Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) and the T4 hormone. It is possible to have thyroid problems undiagnosed with such limited testing. If you feel unwell, despite having NHS blood tests and being told by your GP that there is nothing wrong, you may wish to consider our thyroid screen. This is a blood test. It is a medical test to medical laboratory standard. Order your comprehensive thyroid test here
What Are Thyroid Antibodies And What Do They Do?
Thyroid antibodies at high levels will eventually prevent the thyroid from working normally. It is possible to have normal levels of thyroid hormones and still have high levels of the thyroid antibodies. It is important to get these levels in a better range before they damage the thryroid gland and prevent it working completely. The liver, adrenal glands (on top of the kidneys) and muscles have tissues capable of converting the T4 hormone into the active hormone T3 and it is possible that thyroid antibodies can damage these tissues and start auto immune disease. Your Doctor may tell you that you are OK and do not need to take medication, but we do not agree with this.
Evidence has shown that people can have ‘normal’ levels of TSH and T4 for years despite having autoimmune disease of the thyroid for years.
Signs and Symptoms Associated with Thyroid Problems
Goitre |
Feeling Unwell |
If You Want A Test
Our thyroid screen is a blood test. You may order the test by telephone on 01234 294954 or through this website. It will be sent to you by post within 24 hours and will contain all the forms and tubes you need to have the test and to know what to do. The kit also contains a list of private phlebotomists (blood sample takers), who will take the blood samples for you. Alternatively you may find the practice nurse at your Gp surgery or your Gp may take the samples. They may charge you for this service.
Once your samples have been taken and prepared, you post the blood samples to our laboratory in the envelope provided for you.
If you are close to Bedford please ring us on 01234 294954 for an appointment to have your blood taken at our clinic. Our service is free of charge. We will send the blood samples to our laboratory for you.
The Thyroid Gland
The thyroid gland manufactures certain hormones. These are chemical substances which release into the blood and act as chemical messengers to other parts of the body. The thyroid lies in the front of the neck, just below the Adam’s apple. It has two lobes, one at each side of the windpipe.
What Are The Thyroid Hormones?
Thyroid Hormones are formed from Iodine found in food. The thyroid makes two hormones and these are secreted into the bloodstream. The first is Thyroxine and is called T4 for short. This is because it is made up of four atoms of iodine. The other hormone is Triiodothyronine and is called T3 for short as it contains three atoms of iodine. T3 is the active form of the hormone and T3 is made in the thyroid and also converted from T4 in the liver, kidneys and muscles of the body. T3 influences activity in the cells and tissues of the body. Thyroid hormone release is governed by the pituitary gland in the brain. When thyroid hormones are low in the blood, the pituitary stimulated the thyroid to produce thyroid hormones by releasing Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) into the blood stream. The thyroid then releases T3 and T4 and when sufficient hormones are present in the blood, the pituitary stops releasing TSH.
What Do The Thyroid Hormones Do?
The active hormone T3 influences the metabolism of the body. It regulates the speed at which your body cells works. If too much thyroid hormones are secreted, the body works too fast. This is called hyperthyroidism. Things speed up like your heart rate or your intestines so you get frequent bowel motions or diahorrhea. If too little thyroid hormones are produced, the body slows down. This is known as hypothyroidism. Your heart rate may be slower and your intestines slow down and you may become constipated.
How Are Thyroid Problems Diagnosed?
Thyroid problems are diagnosed by signs and symptoms and laboratory testing. Blood tests measure the proportion of thyroid hormones in the blood to see whether they are at optimum levels. If insufficient hormones reach the target cells then symptoms will ensue. Hormone levels can be affected by
- Thyroid failure due to pollution, illness or autoimmune disease
- Failures of the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus to work properly and release Thyroid stimulating Hormone
- T4 failing to convert to the active T3
- Failure of target tissues to respond to the hormones
- Adrenal insufficiency affecting hormone processing and tissue uptake
‘Normal’ ranges for laboratory testing vary from area to area. It is important to get copies of your results, so you can check whether you are at the high or low end range of ‘normal’. You could be borderline. What is normal for one person is not necessarily normal for another.
Usual NHS testing is limited to TSH hormone and T4 hormone. You could have normal results of these hormones and have a problem in converting T4 hormone into T3 hormone. NHS laboratory tests would not show you this. If you have symptoms of thyroid disease you should consider the full thyroid screen. If your results indicate you have a problem, you will have the clinical evidence to show your GP.
It may be helpful to take the Barnes Basal Temperature Test to show your Doctor together with your thyroid test results.