Using Home Thyroid Profile Blood Test to Evaluate Thyroid Function

Levels of T3, T4, TSH and TPO can be measured at home using the thyroid profile blood test kits. They are readily available to buy online, easy to use and above all, return accurate results just like those expensive tests called for by your practitioner.

This type of testing is fast becoming the choice of millions of individuals around the world, giving them an affordable, easy to administer method of diagnosing any possible thyroid problems. If you have never used a home thyroid test before you are probably asking;

"What are the tests taken, why are they taken, what will the results discover and will they be acceptable to my health professional"

So let's look at putting your mind to rest;

The TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) test is used as a starting point to test the thyroid's function. It measures the level of this hormone in the blood sample, looking for a higher or lower than recommended level.

A level above the recommended points to primary hypothyroidism, this is where the thyroid is starting to fail and gives an early sign of any oncoming thyroid problems. A lower than recommended level would indicate the individual is suffering from hyperthyroidism, a situation where the thyroid gland is overactive and producing too much thyroid hormone. This could also, on occasions, point to a problem with the pituitary gland which leaves it not producing enough TSH (secondary hypothyroidism). A recommended level of TSH result points to a fully functional thyroid gland.

As you are probably aware, individuals can suffer either an overactive (hyperthyroidism) or an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) and the T3 test results are useful for diagnosing an overactive thyroid or indeed the severity of any hyperthyroidism. An elevated level of T3 would indicate the patient are suffering a hyperthyroid. Only on the odd occasion will the T3 result be of any help to hypothyroidism sufferers as a normal T3 level can still mean they are severely hypothyroid, as this is the final underactive thyroid test to show as abnormal.

Free T4 levels are another test result that can indicate how the thyroid is working, T4 enters the tissues that need to use this hormone. Tests that measure this have a number of different names; Free T4, FT4, the Free T4 Index, FT4i and FTi. An elevated FT4 level indicates hyperthyroidism and a low level points to hypothyroidism. I won't go into it too much here but the combined results from FT4 and the TSH tests are used as an incredibly accurate indicator of the thyroid glands functionality. You can find a full rundown of the combined test results on my website by following the links below

Antibodies in our immune system usually protect us from viruses or bacteria that enter our bodies. Lymphocytes, a kind of blood cell, produces these antibodies that attack those foreign invaders. Unfortunately for sufferers of hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, the lymphocytes produce antibodies that attack their thyroid gland. This results in damage to or over stimulation of the thyroid gland. Two such antibodies responsible for attacking the proteins in the thyroid cells are thyroid thyroglobulin and peroxidase and measuring levels of these can help in a more accurate diagnosis.

A thyroid profile blood test, one of the home thyroid test kits available, can return results for all the above tests and offer a genuine, accurate, more affordable alternative. One that will be acceptable to your medical professional, simple to administer and fit right into your busy lifestyle.