Thyroid Panel - Patient Information

Background - Patient Info - Test Instructions

Thyroid Panel Blood Spot Test

Patient Information:

What is blood spot testing?

Blood spot testing is a minimally-invasive method of specimen collection. This is an analysis of blood spot samples. It involves a nearly painless finger prick and a small volume of dried blood on filter paper, which is used to run several hormone tests. Blood spot testing will allow the testing of blood hormones that cannot be reliably tested in saliva.

Why should I use blood spot testing?

Blood spot assays have been shown to be a highly sensitive and accurate means for measuring nearly any hormone that is routinely tested in blood serum. Any hormone that can be measured from whole blood, serum or plasma can be measured from dried blood on filter paper. The results from blood spot samples are comparable to results from whole blood samples.

What are the advantages of blood spot testing?

§ Minimally invasive method is less traumatic than blood drawing. The finger prick is nearly painless.

§ Cost effective alternative to expensive blood draws, handling, and delivery

§ Small sample size requirement of 1-4 drops per test

§ Reliable using high precision measurement

§ Convenient home collection without the need of a phlebotomist

§ Biologically safe because dried blood is being used

§ Stable at room temperature for a month

§ Accuracy of serum testing

§ Highly sensitive and accurate way to measure circulating hormones

§ Simple, inexpensive way to monitor supplemented hormone levels

§ Optimal, convenient collection time

Signs / Symptoms of Growth Hormone and Thyroid Imbalance

IGF-1 Deficiency			IGF-1 Excess
___ Rapid aging ___ Sleep disturbance ___ Memory impairment ___ Decreased muscle ___ Decreased stamina ___ Decreased libido ___ Central obesity ___ Sexual dysfunction ___ Slowing of cognition	___ Increased fatigue ___ Osteoporosis ___ Thinning/sagging skin ___ Heart disease ___ Insulin insensitivity ___ Poor or declining “quality of life” ___ Decreased exercise capacity		___ Visual field defects ___ Thickened palms ___ Thickened heel pads ___ Increased cranial growth ___ Changes in skull / face ___ Enlarged / Thickened heart
FSH / LH
These hormones are measured as an indicator of menopause. FSH and LH levels begin to rise when the ovarian function begins to decline. Symptoms and signs of an imbalance in these hormones are the symptoms and signs of menopause onset.
Check which of these symptoms are troublesome and persist over time. One or more symptoms in this category shows a strong indication that you need to test your thyroid.
Thyroid Deficiency				Thyroid Excess
___ Tired / Exhausted ___ Sad or Depressed ___ Cold body temperature ___ Cold hands and feet ___ Weight gain ___ Can’t lose weight ___ Memory lapse ___ Forgetful ___ High cholesterol ___ Difficult to concentrate ___ Mood changes ___ Swelling / Puffy eyes / face ___ Low blood pressure ___ Slow pulse rate ___ Decreased sweating ___ Hair Dry or brittle		___ Hair loss ___ Nails breaking or brittle ___ Aches / pains ___ Low libido ___ Heart palpitations ___ Sleep disturbances ___ Bone loss ___ Decreased muscle mass ___ Thinning skin ___ Infertility problems ___ Slowed reflexes ___ Constipation ___ Thick tongue ___ Slow ankle reflex ___ Hoarseness		___ Rapid weight loss ___ Insomnia ___ Difficulty falling asleep ___ Unusual seating ___ Always feeling hot ___ Bulging eyes ___ Erratic behavior ___ Anxiety ___ Irritability ___ Nervous ___ Panic attacks ___ Decreased concentration ___ Short attention span ___ Rapid heartbeat ___ Goiter ___ Tremors in fingers

The Simple Steps of Blood Spot Collection:

Getting Ready….

Read this entire section carefully before collecting blood.
Plan a little extra time to collect your sample.
Take hormones/medications at least 12-24 hours before you plan to collect blood sample.
Lay out the kit’s contents the night before as a reminder to collect your blood in the morning.
Fill out the requisition form with black ink (no gel or marker pens) the night before to save yourself some time. Don’t forget to add the date and time of collection to the form once blood has been collected.

If testing thyroid your doctor may recommend you take your basal (core) or armpit temperature 4-7 mornings (if possible). This is best done using a basal/glass thermometer calibrated for small temperature changes. Do NOT use a digital temperature.

Place thermometer near your bed, so you can easily reach it without getting up.
In the morning, before sitting up or getting out of bed, place the thermometer in your armpit, being certain it touches skin on both sides
Relax, keeping the thermometer in place for a minimum of 10 minutes (by the clock, do not estimate)
At the end of 10 minutes, remove thermometer and record temperature in degrees (Fahrenheit)
Do this for as many mornings as possible, record at least 3 readings on the requisition form.

Ï Do NOT take your temperature if you are ill.

Ï Women with a menstrual cycle should do this test during the first few days after menses starts. Temperature should NOT be taken near the ovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle (approximately day 12 of a 28-day cycle).

Ï Women who have had a hysterectomy or are postmenopausal can measure basal temperature any day of the month.

Ï Men can measure basal temperature any day of the month.

CAUTION: Do not use this product if you have a blood clotting disorder (such as hemophilia) or are taking blood-thinning medications (anticoagulants) unless otherwise directed by your health care professional.

Background - Patient Info - Test Instructions - FAQ & Answers - Only $240 - See Listing

NOTE: California Residents - Business and Professions Code 1246.5 Requires That Any Test that has not been approved by the Federal Food and Drug Administration for sale to the public without a prescription as an Over-The-Counter Test kit must be ordered by a Licensed physician acting on a patient's behalf. All orders for test kits within the state of California

NOTE: New York State Residents New York State health law prohibits the testing of certain specimens collected in or mailed from New York, and prohibits the transmission of data from our laboratory to NY physicians or residents. Therefore, direct receipt of lab results for NY residents is not possible.

International Residents & Orders: Extra shipping charges may be added for international orders. Patients will be contacted by e-mail or telephone to approve charges.

Signs / Symptoms of Growth Hormone and Thyroid Imbalance

FSH / LH