Click on the test of your choice below:
|
 |
Your thyroid is responsible for many of your bodies most important functions. Traditional thryoid testing focuses on one or two levels. With our easy to use home test kit you are able to test 4 important levels related to thryoid health. Are you suffering with symptoms of weight gain, problem hair, brittle nails, lack of energy or all of the above. Our thyroid home test can help you identify your specific T3, T4, TSH and TPO levels and if necessary our hormone experts can even review your results with you.
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.
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. |
