Potential Symptoms

Levels of the four thyroid-related biomarkers tested can indicate whether your thyroid is under-functioning (hypothyroidism) or over-functioning (hyperthyroidism).

Symptoms Related to Underactive Thyroid 

An underactive thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough T3 and T4.

As a result, you may experience:

• Fatigue

• Weight gain

• Depression

• Joint and muscle pain

• Sensitivity to cold

• Cold hands and feet

• Difficulty concentrating

• Mental fogginess

• Dry skin and hair

• Frequent, heavy periods

• Constipation

• Slowed heart rate+

• Swelling in the neck from an enlarged thyroid gland

+Slowed heart rate (bradycardia) – commonly less than 60 beats per minute

Symptoms Related to Overactive Thyroid

An overactive thyroid gland produces higher than normal amounts of T3 and/or T4.

As a result, you might experience:

• Unexpected weight loss+

• Increased appetite

• Rapid heartbeat++

• Nervousness, anxiety, and irritability

• Tremors in hands or fingers

• Sweating

• Changes in menstrual patterns

• Increased sensitivity to heat

• More frequent bowel movements

• Swelling in the neck from an enlarged thyroid gland

• Fatigue and muscle weakness

• Difficulty sleeping

• Skin thinning

• Fine, brittle hair

+ Unexpected weight loss, even when your appetite and the amount and type of food you eat remain the same or even increase

++ Rapid heartbeat (tachycardia) — commonly more than 100 beats a minute; or irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia); or pounding of your heart (palpitations)

What we measure

Thyroid Hormones • Blood Spot

Thyroid hormones regulate how fast or slow the body’s cells work – everything from how fast or slow the heart beats to how quickly or slowly the intestines process food.

Free T3Free T4TSH

Thyroid Antibodies • Blood Spot

The presence of antibodies in the blood directed against some aspect of the thyroid gland suggests that a thyroid hormone imbalance could be autoimmune related. Thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) are among the most clinically relevant of these.

TPOAbs