Thyroid screenings and thyroid cancer

Thyroid screenings aren’t the first things most people think of when we think about lab tests, but perhaps they should be in our top ten for “most important lab tests.” Certainly thyroid screenings can be lifesavers because of how critical the thyroid gland is to our daily health and wellness.

Thyroid screenings: the thyroid

Your thyroid gland is a hormone factory in your throat, and it’s the metronome for all your body’s cells. Too much thyroid hormone and you’ll be on overdrive, suffering from tension, sweating, weak thighs and upper arms, frequent bowel movements and an erratic pulse. Too little, and you’ll suffer from hypothyroidism symptoms like exhaustion, dry skin, hair loss, constipation, sore muscles, depression and a constant feeling of being cold.

Thyroid cancer is another thyroid-related disease. Fortunately, most thyroid cancers are associated with an excellent outlook. Thyroid cancer is more likely to afflict people who’ve had childhood x-ray treatments for acne, Hodgkin’s, enlarged tonsils and/or thymus glands. Routine x-rays do not pose such a risk.

Thyroid screening lab tests

The Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone Test, or TSH test, is offered in three packages at HealthCheckUSA, and it’s the most important test for determining thyroid status. The TSH thyroid screening analyzes the hormone production of your thyroid gland. The American Thyroid Association recommends that everyone over 35 get a TSH thyroid screening every five years.

If your TSH thyroid screening comes back abnormal, the usual procedure is to follow up with a total T4 or free T4 test as confirmation; these check for hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism and are effective thyroid screenings for infants. The total T3 lab test and free T3 lab test are other common thyroid screenings used to check for hyperthyroidism.

HealthCheckUSA thyroid screenings

HealthCheckUSA offers two economical thyroid screening panels that combine multiple thyroid lab tests with the TSH thyroid screening at an economical price. The Thyroid Panel includes the TSH thyroid screening as well as the T3 uptake, T4 total, and T7 thyroid screening tests. The Thyroid Panel II provides you with the TSH test and the free T3 and free T4 thyroid screenings.

Other thyroid screening offerings at HealthCheckUSA include the standalone TSH thyroid screening, the TSI (thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin) thyroid test and the anti-thyroid antibodies screening, which helps your doctor or accredited lab specialist distinguish between different thyroid ailments and pick out any autoimmune thyroid problems.

Thyroid screening tips

Several medications can interfere with a TSH thyroid screening, like corticosteroid, aspirin, and lithium. Also, if you’ve had recent X-ray that used radioactive dyes, ask your doctor when you can take a TSH thyroid screening. Women in their first trimester should also ask their doctor about the proper time to get a TSH thyroid screening.

Individuals with thyroid problems can live normal lives as long as they properly manage their thyroid condition. If you have a family history of thyroid problems, don’t hesitate to order a lab test and get a thyroid screening at HealthCheckUSA!

Cancer screenings: fear is the killer

Cancer screenings are one of the most important kinds of laboratory tests you can take. What’s so important about cancer screenings, you ask?

A personal cancer screening story

A favorite uncle and aunt of mine used to live overseas with my cousin James. James and his parents were a treat, if one rarely seen. They never complained, and always had a ready smile or joke. Honest people for whom every moment was a simple pleasure.

And so it was, because Aunt Mary had cancer. She never got a cancer screening; she just lived with the pain, perhaps afraid of what a cancer screening would tell her, perhaps already believing that the cancer would kill her before age 50 and devastate the family. Rather than tell her husband and get a cancer screening, she kept the disease hidden, preferring to avoid cancer treatments and enjoy the time she had.

Cancer screenings shed light

Our grief at her passing was accentuated knowing that she could’ve lived a full life with a timely cancer screening like one of the three cancer screenings offered by HealthCheckUSA. An early cancer screening would’ve allowed her to get a doctor’s diagnosis, avoid long chemotherapy and strike at the cancer pre-emptively. HealthCheckUSA really can be your best defense against disease.

The HealthCheckUSA cancer screening difference

Cancer screenings at HealthCheckUSA provide you with important advantages. They generally cost much less than the lab tests you’d order at a hospital because there are no hidden markups. A fully accredited medical reference laboratory analyzes every cancer screening result. These are the same cancer screenings ordered by physicians. However, with HealthCheckUSA cancer screenings, you control what tests you take and when.

Nothing beats the peace of mind of a HealthCheckUSA cancer screening. If you suspect you might be at risk for ovarian cancer, colon cancer or prostate cancer, order a health test at our website today.

Health screening: knowledge is power

A health screening could save your life.

That statement might sound alarmist, but it’s true. A good health screening could be a lifesaver for you or your loved ones. The sad fact is that, in today’s medical care landscape, health screenings that were once routine are now rare. Heath screening lab tests isolate health risks like cancer and strokes, and can provide HIV testing and warn of unseen cardiovascular health problems.

How health screening works

“Can a single simple blood test do all that?” you may be asking. It’s true - many simple health screening procedures look like a simple blood test, but the health screening blood sample can pinpoint dozens of risk factors and is quick and easy too.

A health screening produces an easy-to-read report on the health hazards that you’ve decided to test for. Depending on the health risk tests that you select, a health screening can call attention to problems posed by high blood pressure, obesity, osteoporosis, incorrect diabetes management, incomplete nutrition, and many other common issues.

A health screening could have good news, too - maybe that weight gain or diabetes could be held in check by something as easy as more dried fruit in your diet!

Health screening benefits from your health insurance

Although HMOs and insurance companies are reputed to be remarkably tight with a dollar, you might be surprised what kind of preventive medicine (like lab tests and health screening) are covered by your health insurance policy. Don’t wait for crisis to strike - be proactive and check out your health screening coverage. You might be able to get medical tests for a variety of conditions - maybe even a full health screening - without having to carry the cost. HealthCheckUSA does not accept insurance claims, but many health insurers will reimburse you directly for our health screening services.

Employee health screening: on the rise

Companies are starting to get on the health screening bandwagon, too. Employers realize that inadequate workforce health makes for lots of absenteeism, reduced productivity and even death. Employee health screenings cost them upfront, but they realize that this cost is outweighed by the long-term corporate wellness benefits, increased employee loyalty and reduced health insurance premiums.

If you’re not aware of employee health screenings at your workplace, ask your employee wellness program coordinator or HR department. Maybe you can help start an employee health screening program yourself!

The advantages of health screening with HealthCheckUSA

If you elect HealthCheckUSA for a health screening, we hope you’ll find the health screening process enjoyable. Distributed laboratory testing has been our business for 20 years; our health screening services have been mentioned in a variety of national publications, including TIME, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times.

Our health screening and lab test prices are almost always lower than what you’ll see in a doctor’s office or hospital, and our health screening lab partners are accredited professionals located all over the country and in testing pharmacies near you.

Talking to HealthCheckUSA about health screening

Early detection is the differentiating factor for almost all major diseases like heart disease and cancer. Please see our health screening and lab testing information for answers to your health screening questions.