This test is an overall comprehensive assessment of thyroid function. Four (4) tests: fT4, fT3, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Thyroid Peroxidase Antibody (TPO). These are tests that your normal medical doctor does not do!

Thyroid Function Imbalance

Thyroid hormones control the body’s metabolism. The brain produces thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) which triggers the thyroid gland to produce two types of hormones – T4 and T3. In hypothyroidism, the body has inadequate levels of the thyroid hormones. This often leads to imbalances in relation to other hormones. Hyperthyroidism is a less common condition that exists when excess thyroid hormones are present. Because every cell of the body is affected by thyroid hormones, symptoms of imbalances are often varied and affect multiple body systems.

Symptoms of low thyroid function (in alphabetical order): Brittle hair and nails Cold temperature intolerance Cold hands and feet Constipation Decreased sweating Depression Dry skin Fatigue Inability to lose weight Low libido Menstrual irregularities Shortness of breath Sluggishness Weight gain

Symptoms of high thyroid function (in alphabetical order): Anxiety Diarrhea Eye/vision changes Fatigue Hair loss Insomnia Palpitations Rapid heart beat Sweating Weakness Weight loss

Thyroid Panel Blood Spot Test

What is the function of thyroid hormones?

Thyroid hormones set metabolic activity and are thus responsible for the speed at which every enzyme action in the body takes place. Thyroid hormone balance in the brain is crucial for maintaining physical and mental health. They have a direct effect on the majority of organs found in our body. These hormones regulate how many calories you burn, how warm you feel, and even how fast our heart beats. Thyroid imbalance not only affects your weight, but also your mood, emotions, behavior, sex life, menstrual problems in women, infertility, depression and anxiety disorders. In short, their function is to regulate our body's metabolism. Symptoms of thyroid imbalance can mimic other hormonal imbalances, therefore as many as 13 million Americans may be undiagnosed and/or misdiagnosed.

What happens when I have too much or too little thyroid hormones?

More than 10 million Americans have been diagnosed with thyroid disease, and another 13 million people are estimated to have undiagnosed thyroid problems in the U.S. alone. A February, 2000 research study found that the estimated number of people with undiagnosed thyroid disease may be 10% - a level that is double what was previously thought. Women are at the greatest risk, developing thyroid problems seven times more often than men.

Hyperthyroidism is defined as a condition in which there is an overproduction of thyroid hormone from the thyroid gland. Hypothyroidism is the opposite, where there is an underproduction of thyroid hormone from the thyroid gland. Hypothyroidism is a very common condition. It is estimated that 3 to 5% of the population has some form of hypothyroidism. The condition is more common in women than in men, and its incidence increases with age. In fact, hypothyroidism is most common in women during the perimenopausal and postmenopausal years; it is estimated that approximately 26% of women in or near menopause are diagnosed with hypothyroidism.

Here are some signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism:

Intolerance to hot temperatures

Increase in heart rate

Fatigue

Nervousness

Insomnia

Weight loss

Increase in appetite

Increase in frequency of bowel movements

Muscle weakness

Elevated mood followed by depression

Racing thoughts

Light / absent menstrual flow

Dry brittle hair

Goiter (enlargement of the thyroid gland) Fatigue

Intolerance to cold temperatures

Dry skin

Weight gain

Difficulty losing weight

Forgetfulness

Weakness

Coarse, dry hair

Constipation

Depression

Heavier menstrual cycles

Goiter (enlargement of the thyroid gland)

What is the difference between T3, T4, TSH and TPO?

There are two main thyroid hormones: Triiodothironine (T3) 20% and thyroxine (T4) 80%. Each thyroid hormone is made up of tyrosine (protein) surrounded by four (T4) or three (T3) iodines. The amount of TSH delivered to the thyroid gland tells the thyroid how much thyroid hormone to manufacture. T4 is the main thyroid hormone produced by the thyroid. When the thyroid gland produces T4, it is taken up by every cell in the body, especially in the liver and brain. A well-regulated process causes T4 to lose iodine, generating the much more potent thyroid hormone T3, which produces activity within the cell. The amount of T3 present in the brain must remain in an optimal range in order to keep the body functioning properly. TPO (thyroid peroxidase) is an enzyme that helps to synthesize thyroid hormone. In 90% of patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis TPO levels of these antibodies will be high. Women with polycystic ovaries have a 4-5 times increased occurrence of TPO antibodies. Since early identification of antibodies increases the health and well-being of patients, TPO testing as a tool for identifying subclinical hypothyroidism is beneficial.

When the thyroid hormones are transported in the blood they are bound to the protein thyroid binding globulin (TBG) that temporarily holds them inactive. This protein may be manipulated by many illnesses and medications. Therefore, the measurement of the free tissue levels of these hormones (the unbound) as conducted in blood spot testing at ZRT laboratory is the most accurate.

Where do thyroid hormones come from?

Thyroid hormones are made and released from the thyroid gland located in the front base of the neck. The thyroid typically secretes thyroid hormones in response to thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) produced by the pituitary gland. Special cells in the pituitary gland determine the normal range of thyroid hormone in the body, which is the set point. As blood flows through the pituitary these cells measure the hormone levels and can tell whether or not it is at the set point. Under normal conditions, the pituitary gland sends out enough TSH to tell the thyroid to maintain a balanced level of thyroid hormones. If the levels are low, the pituitary sends out more TSH to tell the thyroid to make more hormones. Similarly, if the levels are elevated, the pituitary is inhibited from sending out TSH and levels of thyroid hormone will fall.

This particular testing panel checks thyroid hormones that are NOT normally checked by the medical profession. We're checking the true FREE BIO-AVAILABLE thyroid hormones as well as any anti-bodies to determine if there is an autoimmune problem that would normally go undetected!

Let's get you fully tested the right way... the neat thing about these tests is that I can send you a test kit for this to be done in the privacy of your own home... then it's ready to be sent directly to our lab and processed within 2 weeks! Then we contact you and go over the results...