At Test Your Intolerance, you can get a TSH test, which is a Thyroid Stimulating Hormone test. This blood test measures your thyroid hormone levels. When your TSH levels are too low or too high, this suggests you might have a thyroid problem. This thyroid test helps you evaluate how well your thyroid is working.
The thyroid is a gland shaped like a butterfly located in the front of your neck. This gland produces hormones that control the way your body uses energy. Hormones from your thyroid gland affect almost every organ in the body, including your heart.
These hormones, therefore, control your weight, mood, muscle strength, and body temperature. If there are fewer thyroid hormones in the blood, many of your body functions slow down, and if you have excessive hormones, they speed up.
Why get a thyroid test?
If you’d like to know how well your thyroid works, this test will help you realise that. A thyroid test will help you know whether you have hyperthyroidism (too much) or hypothyroidism (too little) thyroid hormone in your bloodstream. However, you should note that a thyroid test doesn’t show the cause of a thyroid problem but only shows if there’s a problem.
If you suffer from hyperthyroidism and are taking medications or have your thyroid gland removed, you’ll have regular TSH tests to check your thyroid hormone levels. Thyroid tests also help you monitor your thyroid hormone levels after undergoing hyperthyroidism treatments.
Who needs a TSH test?
If you have symptoms that indicate your thyroid hormones are too high or too low, it is best to take a THS test. Hyperthyroidism is called overactive thyroid, meaning you’ll have more hormones than you need, speeding up your bodily functions and causing symptoms.
Hyperthyroidism symptoms include:
- Weightloss even if you’re overeating
- Irritability and a feeling of nervousness
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Sweating or sensitive
- Trouble sleeping
- Fatigue
- Frequent pooping
- A goiter, a lump or swelling at the front of the neck
Hypothyroidism, also caused by an underactive thyroid, means you won’t have enough thyroid hormone, which slows down your body functions and causes specific symptoms.
Hypothyroidism symptoms include:
- Weight gain
- Joint and muscle pain
- Fatigue
- Dry skin
- Oversensitivity to cold
- Thinning and dry hair
- Heavy and irregular menstrual periods
- Constipation
- Depression
If you have unusual lumps or bumps on your thyroid, getting a Thyroid Test could help with the first step to figuring out the problem.
Risks of a thyroid test
A thyroid-stimulating hormone test is a very low-risk test. You can order the test online, which you’ll have delivered within three days. After reading the instructions on collecting the sample, you’ll need to prick yourself, then you’ll have results in just a few minutes!
So the only risks you can get from the test are slight pain and bruising at the spot where the needle was put in. however, this only lasts for a few moments and then passes. So don’t need to worry about it.
What do TSH results mean?
Your TSH results indicate whether your thyroid hormone is making too little or excessive hormones. However, it won’t help you determine the root cause for either too many hormones or too little.
Sometimes TSH levels can be high or low for no reason, even when your gland is healthy. Occasionally serious illnesses unrelated to your TSH level can cause you to have lower levels for a short time. It is common to experience high TSH levels when you’re over 80 years old, even without thyroid issues.
During pregnancy, it’s also common to notice a change in TSH levels. Even though TSH levels are often low during the first months of pregnancy, thyroid disease sometimes develops during pregnancy. You can monitor your thyroid levels throughout your pregnancy and after your baby is born with the help of your doctor. Thats because hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism can continue even after giving birth.
If you develop any thyroid conditions during pregnancy, it is common to have your baby screened to check if they’re hypothyroidism. However, suppose you’re planning on getting pregnant or are already pregnant and have a history of thyroid disease. In that case, it’s important to tell your doctor this so they can help you monitor your condition and advise wisely.
If you have any symptoms that point to thyroid disease, it’s essential to get a Thyroid Test as it will help you figure out the health of your thyroid so you can start managing it from that point forwards. Keeping track of your thyroid condition is vital as it affects various parts of your health.
What is the normal level of TSH level?
Normal thyroid ranges vary slightly from one laboratory to the next. However, the most common range observed in the general population includes between 0.5 to 5.0 mIU/L. However, the normal range can also depend on your condition.
An endocrinologist will determine the normal level for pregnant women, people with a history of thyroid cancer, or pituitary disease. If you’re also taking medications to help balance your thyroid hormone levels, you’ll also need a professional to determine your normal ranges.
Final thoughts on thyroid test
A thyroid test is important in everyone’s life, especially if you’re trying to stay healthy. It’s easy ordering a Thyroid Test online and have it delivered to your home. You can easily take control of your health and determine what has been causing you issues, such as retaining weight or losing too much weight.
