Many thyroid tests only analyse 2 biomarkers (THS & FT) but this BioSURE test detects the three key biomarkers, so you will have a comprehensive picture of how your thyroid is working.
Having an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) or an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) can cause a wide range of symptoms.
Knowing your levels will tell you whether you are in the normal range and advise you whether you should seek medical advice and treatment.
The thyroid hormone plays a significant role in regulating your body's metabolism, which include your body temperature, how you convert food into energy and even your brain function and heart rate. If there is not enough thyroid hormone then your body slows down, and if there is too much then everything speeds up.
If you are suffering from common symptoms caused by an over active or under active thyroid gland, then it is a good idea to check. These symptoms can include tiredness (fatigue), changes in body temperature, mood swings, trouble sleeping, or muscle weakness.
There are some conditions that make people more likely to have thyroid problems, including Type 1 diabetes and Coeliac disease.
This test can also be used if you have a diagnosed thyroid problem to monitor your levels.
This blood test checks the levels of 3 essential biomarkers:
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) - also called thyrotropin, which is the hormone produced in your pituitary gland to stimulate your thyroid gland to make more T4.
Free T4 - T4 is thyroxine, which is secreted by your thyroid gland and is called T4 as it has 4 atoms of iodine. Free T4 is the amount of T4 that is available for use by your body. Your body then converts this to T3.
T3 - Triiodothyronine is the hormone that regulates your body's metabolism and is produced in smaller amounts but is more 'potent' than T4. Free T3 is the amount of T3 that is available for your body.
No, you do not need to fast for this test, but it is recommended that you take your sample first thing in the morning.
Hyperthyroidism is when your thyroid gland is overactive, so it will produce too much thyroxine. This can affect almost every organ in your body as it is the hormone that controls metabolism.
Symptoms can include unintentional weight loss and increased appetite (even when you are eating the same amount of food), irritability, anxiety and mood swings and pounding of your heart (palpitations), an irregular heartbeat (arrythmia) or a racing heart of more than 100 beats per minute (tachycardia).
If it is left untreated, hyperthyroidism can cause serious health issues and also affect your menstrual cycle and fertility.
There are several treatments for hyperthyroidism, with the most common being antithyroid drugs.
Hypothyroidism is when your thyroid gland is underactive and does not produce enough thyroxine. This makes your metabolism slow down and affects your entire body.
The most common symptoms are weight gain even when your food intake does not increase and fatigue or extreme tiredness. Other symptoms include depression, increased sensitivity to cold, dry skin and a puffy face, and muscle aches and pain or stiffness in your joints.
Severely low thyroid levels (myxoedema) can be very serious and cause a very low body temperature, confusion, heart failure and coma.
Overtime if left untreated, hypothyroidism can cause obesity, heart disease and infertility.
An underactive thyroid is quite common and very good treatment is available. This is usually a synthetic thyroid hormone, levothyroxine, taken orally, that restores your hormone levels quickly.
These ranges are a guide for general population and will be different for pregnant women and children.
TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) 0.4 to 4.0 mU/l (milliunits per litre).
FT4 (Free Thyroxine) 9.0 to 25.0 pmol/l (picomoles per litre).
FT3 (Free Triiodothyronine) 2.3 - 4.1 pg/mL (picograms per millilitre).
Overactive thyroid is also called hyperthyroidism.
Symptoms of an overactive thyroid can include -
mood swings
anxiety and feeling irritable
difficulty sleeping
feeling twitchy or trembling
felling constantly tired and weak
an irregular or an unusually fast heart rate (palpitations)
Some people can also get a swelling in their neck caused by an enlarged thyroid gland. The medical name for this is goitre.
Underactive thyroid is also called Hypothyroidism.
Symptoms of an underactive thyroid can include -
Weight gain
Fatigue or extreme tiredness
Depression
Increased sensitivity to cold
Dry skin and a puffy face
Muscle aches and pain or stiffness in your joints
Overtime if left untreated, hypothyroidism can cause obesity, heart disease and infertility.
The thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland in your neck. It is just in front of your windpipe.
Your thyroid is responsible for releasing and controlling thyroid hormones that control your metabolism.
Your metabolism is the process in which your body changes food you eat into energy for your body.
Standard DPD delivery to you is included in the price and your kit also includes a Royal Mail 1st Class Tracked label for you to send your sample back.
All orders received by 2pm are shipped the same day. Orders received after 2pm on a Friday will be shipped the next working day.
A kit containing everything you need is sent to an address of your choice.
You can then take a simple finger prick sample, using the lancets provided and collect the drops into the tube. You then register it on-line and post it off to the laboratory using the Royal Mail 1st Class Tracked envelope that is included with your kit.
Your full report, showing your results and how they compare with the normal reference ranges, are reported back to you by email. You will receive your result the day after the lab receives your sample.
All test results are reviewed by the in-house GPs who highlight any areas of concern of that might need further investigation and follow up with a doctor.
Yes, your healthcare provider will recognise your clinically-valid results.
Early diagnosis is key to managing any health condition and means an increased range of treatment options, improved long-term health and improved quality of life.
It is unlikely to gain a definitive diagnosis from a blood-test but your results can be used to have informed discussions with your healthcare provider.
Your results link will be sent to you via email, so you can log in to your secure account and view your results.
Your results include your levels and where they sit against 'normal levels'. There is also a visual interpretation as a colour coded graph so they are easy for you to understand.
Your blood sample will typically be processed in the laboratory within 24 hours of receipt on all working days. You will receive an email with a secure link through to your account and your results.
It is very important you scan your unique QR code when you open your kit, as this is what links your sample and your result to you. Without this we won't be able to send you your result.
Yes, your samples are processed in the same laboratories that are used by hospitals and primary care providers. All of our labs are UKAS and ISO accredited, which are the highest levels of accreditation.
Your BioSURE Self Test kit contains -
Instructions for Use
Collection tube(s)
Alcohol wipe x 2
Lancet x 4
Collection tube label(s)
Pre-paid return packaging
We advise collecting your fingerprick blood sample in the morning, especially for tests that require fasting. Return on the same day in the pre-paid packaging that is supplied with your kit.
We also advise not collecting or returning your sample on Friday, Saturday or Sunday, so the lab receives it in the best possible condition.
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