Randox Thyroid Health Test for Monitoring

Product Summary

Thyroid disorders can impact weight, sleep and energy levels.

Understand your thyroid function with a simple blood test. Weight fluctuation, trouble sleeping and sensitivity to heat or cold can all be indicative of a thyroid disorder. There are 5 key markers are tested for in this kit, to give you a comprehensive overview of your thyroid health.

• Sample type: Home sample collection - Finger prick method. Watch the instructional video here.
• Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, Free T4, Free T3, Anti-TG, Anti-TPO
• Results: in 2-3 working days from receipt of sample at the lab.

Why Get Tested?

Thyroid disorders are relatively common in females but can also affect males. They can be difficult to diagnose and can sometimes be mistaken for other conditions. An underactive thyroid, where your thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones is associated with the following symptoms; tiredness, weight gain, depression, hair loss and sensitivity to cold temperatures. An overactive thyroid on the other hand, a condition where the thyroid produces too many hormones can cause weight loss, anxiety, mood swings, difficulty sleeping, sensitivity to heat, muscle weakness, itchiness and a frequent need to urinate.

If you think you might have a thyroid disorder, our simple blood test will help you understand if your thyroid is functioning properly. Thyroid dysfunction can be due to family history/genetic factors, autoimmune disorders and even some medications.

What is tested for in this kit?

Thyroid Health

• Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)

• Free T4

• Free T3

• Anti-TG

• Anti-TPO

How it works

You must be over 18 years of age to purchase one of these home blood sample collection kits.

Take your sample

• Follow the instructions with your kit. You can watch the instructional video here.

Send it to the lab

• Activate your kit before sending your sample back to the lab.
• Place the prepaid label on the return package supplied containing your sample, and drop it off at the post office.

Get Your Results

• Once the lab receives your sample, they will begin to process it.
• Your results will be ready 2-3 days afterwards.
• Log in to your account to view your results.

What happens after I get my results?

You will get a personalised report

• An easy-to-interpret test report will provide a breakdown of your results, what they mean and the next steps.
• Reports will be emailed to the email address provided at the time of registration.
• Where necessary, if treatment is recommended, you can then share your report with your doctor to get prescription-based medication or a supplementation recommendation if and where necessary.

Pharmacist FAQs Answered

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

These three tests play together to control how your body uses energy. TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) is manufactured in the brain and tells your thyroid gland to make hormones. Free T4 (thyroxine) is the major hormone made by the thyroid. It is converted into Free T3 (triiodothyronine), which controls your body's metabolism, heart rate, and temperature. High TSH and low Free T4 could be a sign of underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), while low TSH with high Free T4 or Free T3 could be a sign of overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism). Testing all three of them gives you a better sense of what your thyroid is up to.

Why are Anti-TPO and Anti-TG antibodies included in thyroid testing?

Anti-TPO (thyroid peroxidase antibodies) and Anti-TG (thyroglobulin antibodies) are types of antibodies your immune system can create if your immune system mistakenly attacks your thyroid gland. These markers diagnose autoimmune thyroid disease like Hashimoto's thyroiditis or Graves' disease leading to underactive or overactive thyroid function. While your hormone levels (TSH, T4, T3) are fine now, the presence of these antibodies can foretell future thyroid problems. Including these markers identifies issues earlier and can explain inexplicable symptoms like tiredness or mood swings, even if basic thyroid hormones are normal.

Can thyroid problems affect mental health?

Yes, thyroid disorders can significantly affect mental health. An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) may cause symptoms like low mood, depression, confusion, and tiredness. An overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), on the other hand, may cause anxiety, irritability, trouble concentrating, and insomnia. These symptoms can be mistaken for mental illness, like depression or anxiety disorders, and thus, diagnosis is delayed. Hormone problems as a cause can be eliminated by a blood test of the thyroid. Treatment of an underlying thyroid issue normally cures both mood and energy, with strong evidence of overall mental and emotional well-being.

Can diet and lifestyle affect thyroid health?

Yes, your lifestyle and diet can affect thyroid health. Iodine, selenium, and zinc are important nutrients that cause the thyroid to function correctly. A balanced and healthy diet that contains sufficient amounts of these nutrients helps to make hormones. Processed foods, chronic stress, smoking, and overindulgence in soy or raw cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cabbage may interfere with the functioning of the thyroid in some people. Regular exercise and sufficient sleep also help in keeping the body's hormones in balance. Though diet and lifestyle may not be sufficient to treat thyroid disease, they can prove to be highly beneficial in the relief of symptoms and as an adjunct to treatment.

Should I get my thyroid checked if I'm constantly tired?

Persistent fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of thyroid diseases. If you feel tired all the time but are sleeping well, and especially if you also feel weight gain, hair loss, dryness of the skin, or cold, it would be a good idea to have your thyroid checked. These can be signs of an underactive thyroid. If you feel tired but are losing weight, sweating excessively, or feeling nervous, this could be the result of an overactive thyroid. Since so many factors cause fatigue, a thyroid test has the function of narrowing down the number of possible things that are happening and what you need to do next.

Will medications or other diseases affect my thyroid test?

Yes, certain medications and diseases do have an effect on thyroid test results. For example, certain drugs used for heart disease (like amiodarone), steroids, or antidepressant drugs can change thyroid hormone levels. Chronic illness, recent illness, or pregnancy can also influence your thyroid for a temporary period. Biotin (one of the vitamins in some supplements) will affect thyroid blood tests, so it is best to stop taking it at least 48 hours prior to testing. If you're not sure if your conditions or medications may have an impact on your test results, you should talk this over with your pharmacist or doctor before testing.

How often should I test my thyroid function?

If you've had a normal thyroid test in the past and have no new symptoms, testing every 12 months is usually adequate. If you're being treated for a thyroid disease, your doctor might recommend testing every 6–12 weeks following dose adjustment, followed by every 6–12 months after stabilisation. If your test falls in the border range or if you have thyroid antibodies without symptoms, your doctor might suggest more frequent monitoring. Regular testing enables tracking of trends over time and allows early treatment in case a problem comes up. Always follow your doctor's advice regarding the frequency of checks on your levels.