Thyroid testing 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 testing can be lifesavers because of how critical the thyroid gland is to our daily health and wellness.
Thyroid Testing: 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 Blood 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 blood test 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 Blood Tests
HealthCheckUSA offers two economical thyroid blood testing panels that combine multiple thyroid lab tests with the TSH thyroid blood test at an affordable price. The Thyroid Panel includes the TSH thyroid blood test as well as the T3 uptake, T4 total, and T7 thyroid screening tests. The Thyroid Panel II provides you with the TSH blood test and the free T3 and free T4 thyroid blood tests. The T3 Free and T4 free thyroid blood tests are believed to be more reliable than T3 uptake and T4 total thyroid blood tests. Thyroid Panel II is recommended by Stop the Thyroid Madness.
Other thyroid screening offerings at HealthCheckUSA include the standalone TSH thyroid blood test, 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 blood testing tips
Several medications can interfere with a TSH thyroid blood test, 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 blood test.
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!