Thyroid (TSH, FT4) test at home

What is the thyroid gland and what does it do?

The thyroid gland is a small organ located low in the neck, where the inner ends of the collarbones meet. The thyroid gland is small but powerful. In fact, it is responsible for a number of important processes, including metabolism in a very broad sense.

What is thyroid hormone?

The thyroid gland exercises its affects metabolism through thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormone is made by the thyroid gland itself and consists of two variants: thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). In addition to thyroid hormone, the thyroid gland also produces calcitonin, which, along with another hormone, is responsible for the amount of calcium in the body.

What are the thyroid values being measured?

The production of thyroid hormone by the thyroid gland is under the influence of TSH, or Thyroid Stimulating Hormone. TSH is released by the pituitary gland, a little organ in the brain. In turn, the pituitary gland receives orders from the hypothalamus, another area of the brain, which releases Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH). Sufficient T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine) in the blood inhibits the release of TSH. In this way, this negative feedback system ensures optimal balance. Thus, the TSH value is the most important value measured by thyroid test. If it is abnormal, T4 and T3 levels are also measured.

What are the main thyroid symptoms?

Unfortunately, the thyroid gland does not always work properly. The two most common causes of thyroid problems are either a thyroid gland working too fast (or hyperthyroidism) or a thyroid gland working too slowly (or hypothyroidism). The cause of a thyroid gland working too fast or too slow can be located either in the thyroid gland itself (primary hyper- or hypothyroidism), or outside the thyroid gland (secondary hyper- or hypothyroidism), such as in the brain.

Slow thyroid symptoms?

The most common cause of an underactive thyroid gland is Hashimoto’s disease. This is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system produces antibodies that target and destroy thyroid tissue. As a result, the thyroid gland produces less and less thyroid hormone, causing a deficiency. In the blood, there will be low T4 and high TSH levels. In addition, antibodies (anti-TPO and anti-Tg) can be determined in the blood. In the case of Hashimoto, these antibodies are almost always present. However, these antibodies can also be present in other thyroid disorders and even in healthy individuals. Hashimoto is most common in women between the ages of 30 and 50.

These are some slow thyroid symptoms:

• Swelling of the thyroid gland (goiter
• Fatigue
• Weight gain
• Coldness
• Dry skin
• Hair loss
• Concentration problems

Thyroid gland working too fast?

Primary hyperthyroidism, a thyroid gland that works too fast, is caused by Graves’ disease in about 70 to 80% of cases. Graves is an autoimmune disease, in which the body’s own immune system turns against the body’s own cells or cell components. Graves’ disease releases antibodies that cause the thyroid gland to produce a lot of thyroid hormone. So this leads to an overactive thyroid. In the blood, there will be high T4 and low TSH levels. Graves is most common in women between the ages of 20 and 50.

Symptoms that may occur with a thyroid gland that works too fast:

• Swelling of the thyroid gland (goitre)
• Hurried feeling
• Rapid heartbeat (tachycardia)
• Feeling hot/ sweating quickly
• Losing weight
• Extreme swelling of the lower legs (pretibial myxedema)
• Bulging of the eyes (exophthalmus)

Thyroid symptoms woman/man

Thyroid problems are more common in women than in men. In fact, a properly functioning thyroid gland is essential for a healthy pregnancy. The thyroid plays a role in the stimulation of ovulation and the production of sex hormones. Thus, proper thyroid function is necessary for fertilization, implantation and full-term pregnancy. Sufficient thyroid hormone is also needed for the unborn baby’s brain development.

Even after pregnancy, the thyroid remains important. In about 5% of women, inflammation of the thyroid gland occurs after childbirth, due to a (temporary) autoimmune reaction. This is called postpartum thyroiditis. Postpartum thyroiditis generally occurs within a year of delivery and can involve either hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.

For thyroid symptoms, it’s best to test right away so you have quick peace of mind.