If you’re looking for a comprehensive assessment of your thyroid function, including an investigation of an underlying autoimmune disorder, then this combined thyroid antibodies test and thyroid function test is the blood test for you.
Is your thyroid self-destructing?
This thyroid panel provides more in-depth screening of thyroid function and looks for evidence of autoimmune disease with a thyroid antibodies test. The hormones produced by the thyroid regulate metabolism – the rate at which the body uses energy. The body has a feedback system that turns thyroid hormone production on and off and maintains a stable amount of thyroid hormones in the bloodstream. When thyroid antibodies interfere with this process, it can lead to chronic conditions such as Hashimoto thyroiditis or Graves’ disease.
A thyroid antibodies test reveals situations where the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid and can lead to chronic inflammation of the thyroid (thyroiditis), tissue damage, and disruption of thyroid function. An underactive or hypothyroid can cause symptoms such as weight gain, fatigue, dry skin, hair loss, intolerance to cold, and constipation. Conversely an overactive or hyperthyroid can cause sweating, rapid heart rate, anxiety, tremors, fatigue, difficulty sleeping and sudden weight loss.
What is tested?
Thyroid Function
Your thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate growth and energy expenditure. Thyroid disorders are quite common, and many people don’t have any symptoms at all. This thyroid test screens for the thyroid hormones that play a key role in regulating the body’s metabolism.
Thyroid Antibodies
In addition to screening for the thyroid hormones that play a key role in regulating metabolism, this advanced thyroid function test detects and measures the quantity of specific thyroid autoantibodies to determine whether autoimmune disease may be impacting thyroid function.