Your thyroid might be small, but it plays a major role in how well your body functions. It’s a small, butterfly shaped gland located in the front of your neck just below your tonsils. It secretes two hormones into your bloodstream called thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). These hormones are directly responsible for the metabolism, development, and growth of your body.
How much of these hormones your thyroid produce is regulated by the pituitary gland located just underneath your brain. The pituitary keeps track of how much thyroid hormones are in your bloodstream and will adjust your levels accordingly.
If your thyroid gland is producing too much or too little hormones, you’ll soon start to feel the effects throughout your entire body.
Hypothyroidism occurs when your thyroid produces too few hormones. Symptoms oh hypothyroidism are tiredness, dry skin and hair, muscle pain, weight gain, sensitivity to the cold, and depression.
Hyperthyroidism occurs when your thyroid is producing too many hormones. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism are tiredness, weakness, heat sensitivity, an irregular heartbeat, weight loss, tremors, and anxiety.
What Are Thyroid Function Blood Tests?
Blood tests are the main way to check how well your thyroid gland is functioning. These tests work by detecting the level of thyroid hormones present in your blood sample. If you are worried about your thyroid function, you can book in for private thyroid blood tests in Ramsgate and Walsall with Touchwood Pharmacy.
We offer two types of thyroid blood tests:
- Thyroid Function Blood Profile (TF): This test checks your thyroid gland function and measures levels of the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and T4 levels. This is a good place to start if you’re worried about your thyroid function.
- Full Thyroid Blood Profile (TF2): A more comprehensive test that checks TSH, T4, and T3 levels as well as thyroglobulin antibodies and thyroid peroxidase antibodies.
If your TSH level is high and T4 level is low, you may have an underactive thyroid. If your TSH level is low and the T4 level is high, you might have an overactive thyroid.
Who Should Get a Thyroid Blood Test?
Anyone who is experiencing the symptoms of hyperthyroidism or hyperthyroidism should get their thyroid hormone levels checked with a blood test. People who have a family history of thyroid disorders should also consider getting checked so that any conditions can be caught and treated early.
If you are diagnosed with a thyroid disorder, it’s recommended that you get routine checks to see if your levels are improving after you start treatment.
You can easily book an appointment online for private thyroid blood tests in Lichfield and Northampton through Touchwood Pharmacy. Results are fast and reliable without any referrals or waiting lists. Click here to directly to book private thyroid blood tests in Northolt and Lichfield.
