What is ThyroidCheck?
ThyroidCheck was developed by the Thyroid & Endocrine Center of Florida as a convenient, reliable, and accurate way to obtain comprehensive thyroid testing. ThyroidCheck offers a full panel of thyroid tests including TSH, T3, T4, and Antibodies. These highly sensitive tests are critical in determining if you suffer from a thyroid disorder.
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Why do I need a thyroid test?
Your thyroid is more important than you think. The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the neck and is an integral part of your endocrine system. The endocrine system is made up of glands which regulate the function, growth and development of virtually every cell, tissue and organ in the body by secreting chemicals called hormones directly into the bloodstream. When endocrine disorders develop, too much or too little hormone is secreted by a specific gland because the gland stops functioning properly due to illness, surgical removal or natural causes.
Thyroid dysfunction occurs when the thyroid produces either too much thyroid hormone, which causes your body’s systems to speed up (
hyperthyroidism), or too little hormone, which causes your body’s systems to slow down (
hypothyroidism). Both negatively impact your overall health and well-being.
Untreated thyroid disease may lead to elevated cholesterol levels and subsequent heart disease, as well as infertility and osteoporosis. Research also indicates a strong genetic link between thyroid disease and other autoimmune disease, including certain types of diabetes, arthritis, and anemia.
Thyroid disorders affect an estimated 200 million people worldwide, and an estimated 27 million Americans. More than half remain undiagnosed. In fact, thyroid disease is more common than diabetes and heart disease.
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What is included in the tests?
Our comprehensive thyroid function tests include:
TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone). A TSH test measures the amount of thyroid stimulating hormone in your blood. TSH is produced by the pituitary gland and tells the thyroid gland to make and release the hormones Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3). Triiodothyronine (T3) and Thyroxine (T4) help control your body's metabolism. Nearly every cell in your body depends on normal T4 and T3 levels to maintain its optimal function.
Free T4 (Thyroxine). T4 is the predominant thyroid hormone produced by the thyroid gland. Free T4 measures the T4 hormone that is not bound to protein; therefore it is ready for use by the body. Measuring free T4 rather than total T4 is a more accurate assessment of thyroid status.
Free T3 (Triiodothyronine). T3 is the most active thyroid hormone. Some T3 is produced by the thyroid, but most of the T3 comes from conversion of T4 to T3 which occurs in body but outside the thyroid. Free T3 measures the available (non-protein bound) T3 hormone and its measurement is very useful in assessing thyroid balance, particularly in hyperthyroidism.
Thyroid Antibodies. Thyroid Antibodies are tested for evidence of autoimmune thyroid diseases, such as Hashimoto's or Graves' disease. Thyroid antibodies may remain positive for years, and do not provide an indication of whether the person has normal or abnormal thyroid function. Furthermore, some patients with Hashimoto's disease may have negative levels of circulating antibodies, and conversely, patients with positive levels of thyroid antibodies may never develop thyroid disease during their lifetime.
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Are Free T3, FreeT4 and Antibody tests important?
Yes. Free T3, Free T4 and antibodies tests are key factors in the accurate diagnosis of thyroid disease. Many labs solely offer TSH, which is not always comprehensive enough to determine the health of your thyroid. Because ThyroidCheck is offered by the Thyroid & Endocrine Center of Florida, experts in thyroid medical care, we are able to offer comprehensive thyroid testing to accurately diagnosis thyroid disease.
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Do I need to fast before taking the test?
No. Fasting is not required before a thyroid function lab test.
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Do I need approval from my insurance company before testing?
These services are not covered by insurance. Therefore, you do not need approval from your insurance company before ThyroidCheck testing. We accept cash, Visa, and MasterCard.
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Do I need a referral from my health care provider in order to use ThyroidCheck?
No, it is not necessary to have a referral to use ThyroidCheck.
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Are these tests covered by Medicare or Medicaid?
ThyroidCheck is not available for Medicare or Medicaid participants.
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How old do I need to be to use ThyroidCheck?
You must be 18 years or older to use ThyroidCheck.
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What types of payment do you accept?
We accept cash, Visa, and MasterCard.
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How will I receive my test results?
A detailed explanation of your results will be mailed to you, along with additional medical recommendations, if necessary.
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How does thyroid hormone testing differ from a saliva test or a finger-stick blood test?
Saliva testing is an unproven technology and is not medically recognized by most accredited medical communities for thyroid assessment. Because the sensitivity of saliva testing hasn’t been clearly established, saliva testing has proven to be inconsistent and unreliable, not to mention more expensive. Finger prick spot blood tests are also unreliable and expensive and do not adhere to any medical standards for testing thyroid function.
Our thyroid function blood tests are an accurate method of thyroid testing and offer clinically accepted results. Our tests follow a strict set of requirements and protocols to ensure the quality and integrity of lab testing and results.
