Thyroid Health Test

The Home Test Box Thyroid Health Test is an at-home test that measures three primary thyroid hormones, thyroid-stimulating hormone, free T3, and free T4, along with thyroid antibodies, for a better understanding of how your thyroid may be functioning.

The Home Test Box Thyroid Health Test requires you to self-collect a blood sample.

Click here for detailed instructions and a video on collecting a blood sample.

The Home Test Box Thyroid Health Test measures the following markers:

• Thyroid-stimulating hormone
• Free T3
• Free T4
• Thyroid antibodies

The thyroid gland is a small butterfly-shaped gland in the front of the neck. It produces thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), two hormones that control the body's energy usage (metabolism), affecting nearly every organ in the body and controlling many of your body’s most vital functions. T3 and T4 affect breathing, heart rate, weight, digestion, and mood.

When the thyroid gland is not functioning properly, it can lead to a number of health problems, such as hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) or hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). These conditions can cause symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain or weight loss, hair loss, and irregular menstrual cycles.

Common symptoms associated with hyperthyroidism, or too much T3 and T4, include the following:

• Anxiety, nervousness, or hyperactivity
• Irritability
• Sweating or sensitivity to high temperatures
• Hand trembling
• Hair loss
• Missed or light menstrual periods

Common symptoms associated with hypothyroidism, or too little T3 and T4, include the following:

• Trouble sleeping
• Difficulty concentrating
• Depression
• Fatigue
• Dry skin and hair
• Frequent, heavy menstrual periods
• Joint and muscle pain
• Sensitivity to cold temperatures

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland. TSH is essential in regulating the thyroid gland by stimulating the production and release of the thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).

When thyroid hormone levels are low in the bloodstream, the hypothalamus releases thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), which stimulates the pituitary gland to produce and release TSH. This process is known as the negative feedback loop, which works to maintain the proper balance of thyroid hormones in the body.

High levels of TSH indicate an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism), and low levels of TSH indicate an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism). 

In addition to its role in regulating the thyroid gland, TSH also plays a role in the regulation of bone metabolism and has been linked to the development of osteoporosis in some cases.

Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which your thyroid gland is overactive, producing too much thyroid hormone. 

The thyroid is a gland in the neck that produces hormones that regulate metabolism. When the thyroid produces too much hormone, it can cause a wide range of symptoms, including weight loss, anxiety, rapid heartbeat, tremors, and sweating. 

Hyperthyroidism can be caused by a number of conditions, with the most common being Graves' disease, an autoimmune disorder that causes the thyroid to produce too much hormone.

Nodules on your thyroid, a noncancerous pituitary gland tumor, thyroid inflammation, or too much thyroid hormone medication can also lead to hyperthyroidism.

Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland is underactive and can’t produce enough of its hormones. This can lead to various symptoms, such as fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, constipation, dry skin, and depression. It is typically treated with hormone replacement therapy in the form of levothyroxine, a synthetic form of the thyroid hormone thyroxine.

The most common cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks the thyroid gland, causing inflammation and damage.

Other potential causes of hypothyroidism include the following:

• Surgery: removal of the thyroid gland due to thyroid cancer or other conditions.
• Radiation therapy: treatment for certain cancers can damage the thyroid gland.
• Medications: certain medications, such as lithium, can interfere with thyroid hormone production.
• Congenital disabilities: Some people are born with a defect in their thyroid gland or the hormones that regulate it.
• Pituitary or hypothalamic disorders: problems with the pituitary gland or hypothalamus play a role in regulating the thyroid gland, which can lead to hypothyroidism.