Thyroid Test (Large)
Get a comprehensive at-home thyroid panel measuring TSH, FT3, FT4, TPOab, Tgbn, and TT4. Convenient DBS test for thyroid function, autoantibodies, and Hashimoto's at home.
Product details: USD 159 — InStock — SKU gettested_thyroid_test_large_test — GetTested
About this test
Understanding Thyroid Hormone Function
The thyroid gland regulates metabolism, energy production, body temperature, and many other physiological processes. This panel measures several key markers involved in thyroid hormone production and regulation, including TSH, Free T3 (FT3), Free T4 (FT4), and Total T4 (TT4).
Together, these markers help illustrate how the thyroid gland is signaling, producing, and converting thyroid hormones within the body.
Assessing Autoimmune Thyroid Activity
In addition to hormone levels, this test measures thyroid antibodies including thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOab) and thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb). Elevated levels of these antibodies may indicate autoimmune thyroid activity, which is commonly associated with conditions such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or Graves’ disease.
Including these antibodies allows the panel to provide a broader assessment than tests that measure thyroid hormones alone.
Thyroid Symptoms and Hormonal Imbalance
Thyroid imbalances can affect many systems in the body. People may seek thyroid testing when experiencing symptoms such as fatigue, unexplained weight changes, cold or heat sensitivity, hair changes, mood fluctuations, or changes in heart rate.
Because these symptoms can develop gradually and overlap with other conditions, evaluating multiple thyroid markers may provide helpful context when discussing results with a healthcare provider.
How the Test Works
This test uses a dried blood spot (DBS) sample collected at home. After collecting the small blood sample using the provided kit, the sample is sent to a CLIA-certified laboratory for analysis.
Results are delivered securely online, allowing you to review your thyroid markers and discuss them with your healthcare provider if needed.
Biomarkers included
- TSH: Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH), also known as thyrotropin, is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland. It plays a crucial role in regulating thyroid function by stimulating the thyroid gland to produce and release thyroid hormones (T3 and T4), which are vital for metabolism, growth, and development. Measuring TSH levels is a primary way to assess thyroid gland activity and diagnose thyroid di
- Free Triiodothyronine (fT3): Free Triiodothyronine (fT3) is the unbound, active form of the thyroid hormone triiodothyronine (T3). It is crucial for regulating metabolism, energy levels, body temperature, and heart function. Measuring fT3 provides a direct assessment of the biologically active thyroid hormone available to tissues, reflecting current thyroid function more accurately than total T3 in many cases.
- Total Thyroxine (T4): Total Thyroxine (T4) measures the entire amount of thyroxine circulating in the bloodstream, which is the primary hormone secreted by the thyroid gland. It is vital for regulating the body's metabolism, energy production, and overall cellular function, helping to diagnose hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.
- TPOAb (Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies): TPOAb (Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies) are autoantibodies that attack thyroid peroxidase, an enzyme critical for thyroid hormone production. Their presence indicates an autoimmune thyroid condition, such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis or Graves' disease, which can lead to hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, respectively. Measuring TPOAb helps diagnose and monitor these autoimmune thyroid disorders.
- Thyroglobulin Antibodies: Thyroglobulin antibodies are proteins produced by the immune system that mistakenly attack thyroglobulin, a protein used by the thyroid gland to produce hormones. Testing for these antibodies is essential for diagnosing autoimmune thyroid disorders, such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis or Graves' disease, and for monitoring patients following thyroid cancer treatment.
- Free Thyroxine (fT4): Free Thyroxine (fT4) is the unbound, active form of the thyroid hormone thyroxine in the bloodstream. It's crucial for assessing thyroid function because it directly reflects the amount of hormone available to regulate metabolism, growth, and energy levels. Measuring fT4 helps diagnose and monitor conditions like hyperthyroidism (too much) or hypothyroidism (too little) thyroid hormone.
How to prepare
Fasting is not required. For best consistency, collect your sample in the morning. If you are taking thyroid medication, collect your sample before your daily dose unless otherwise directed by your healthcare provider. Avoid biotin supplements for at least 72 hours prior to collection, as biotin may interfere with certain thyroid test results.
Frequently asked questions
How accurate are results from a home-collected dried blood spot test compared to a traditional blood draw at a lab?
Dried blood spot (DBS) tests for thyroid hormones and antibodies, especially for markers like TSH, FT3, FT4, TPOab, Tgbn, and TT4, have demonstrated high correlation with traditional venipuncture methods. Our CLIA-certified lab analysis ensures reliable and accurate results, offering a convenient way to check thyroid levels at home with confidence.
Is this test suitable if I'm already taking thyroid medication, or is it only for initial diagnosis?
Many individuals already taking thyroid medication find this comprehensive at-home thyroid panel valuable for monitoring their levels and assessing the effectiveness of their treatment. This TSH FT3 FT4 TPOab Tgbn TT4 test can help identify imbalances and provide data for discussions with your doctor about dosage adjustments or further investigation into symptoms of thyroid imbalance.
What do all these abbreviations (TSH, FT3, FT4, TPOab, Tgbn, TT4) mean, and why are they important for understanding my thyroid health?
TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) regulates thyroid hormone production. FT3 (Free Triiodothyronine) and FT4 (Free Thyroxine) are the active thyroid hormones. TPOab (Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies) and Tgbn (Thyroglobulin Antibodies) indicate autoimmune activity, often associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. TT4 (Total Thyroxine) measures the total amount of T4. Together, these markers provide a comprehensive thyroid lab test, crucial for understanding your thyroid function and screening for thyroid disease.
What steps do I need to follow precisely to ensure a good sample collection at home, and what happens if I mess it up?
A small amount of blood is collected from a fingertip using a lancet and placed onto a provided dried blood spot card. Detailed, step-by-step instructions are included with your kit. It's crucial to follow these carefully to ensure a good sample. If you believe your sample was improperly collected, please contact our support team for guidance on potential re-testing options.
Customer reviews
4.6/5 (5)
- 4/5 — The kit was well-organized, and the report provided a lot of helpful information about my thyroid health.
- 5/5 — This at-home thyroid test was incredibly easy to use and saved me a trip to the lab. Results came quickly too!
- 4/5 — Appreciated the detailed breakdown of all the thyroid markers, including autoantibodies. It gave me a lot to discuss with my doctor.
- 5/5 — Easy to follow instructions and a great way to monitor my thyroid from home.
- 5/5 — Very thorough test. Collecting the sample was straightforward.