The importance of thyroid testing:

It’s not just for women

May 18, 2023

The thyroid gland is part of the endocrine system and produces hormones which regulate metabolism, temperature, heart rate, brain development, cholesterol, weight gain, muscle contraction, and for women, the menstrual cycle. A decrease in thyroid hormones is common for women going through menopause.

However, thyroid disorders can affect men and women of all ages, whether you are producing too much (hyperthyroidism), or too little (hypothyroidism) thyroid hormone. Getting tested is important, especially for those with a family history, as undiagnosed thyroid disease can contribute to infertility, sexual dysfunction, osteoporosis, and heart disease. 

Common Thyroid Disorders:

Hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid, is when your body makes too much thyroid hormone. It can cause symptoms like fatigue, anxiety, hair loss, heat sensitivity, and muscle weakness.

Men with an overactive thyroid may have a low sexual drive and can experience performance issues (e.g., erectile disfunction). They may also suffer from muscle stiffness or weakness, and dry or thinning hair. Getting tested and treated will help improve these symptoms. 

Common causes of hyperthyroidism in both men and women include inflammation of the thyroid gland, medical conditions like cancer, and taking certain medications. 

Hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid, is when your body does not make enough thyroid hormone. Autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, as well as family history, may contribute to thyroid disease. 

Men with an underactive thyroid may experience unexplained weight gain, fatigue, and sexual dysfunction. Hypothyroidism can also be associated with low testosterone.

Underactive thyroid in women usually appears between the ages of 20 and 40. It can affect your menstrual cycle, but other symptoms may not appear until they become more severe. 

Teens with hypothyroidism may have poor growth or delayed puberty.

Check your TSH levels quickly and accurately 

Quest is here to support you on your journey to good health. We offer a convenient way to test for a thyroid disorder with a few different types of tests. These are available to purchase online today, with no doctor’s visit required. We provide the same quality lab tests doctors use from the world’s most trusted medical diagnostics provider.

Our Thyroid TSH Function Test checks your levels of thyroid stimulating hormone, produced in the pituitary gland, and can confirm if your thyroid is working properly. If you have an abnormal level of this hormone, further testing is required to help detect a thyroid disorder.

This test is also included in larger test panels on questhealth.com, including:

• Basic Health Profile – Women's
• Comprehensive Health Profile – Women's
• Pre-Pregnancy Panel
• Early Menopause Panel
• Perimenopause Panel
• Post Menopause Panel

If you have been diagnosed with a thyroid disorder, Quest offers two Thyroid Disorder Monitoring tests, to measure key hormones in thyroid function while you are undergoing treatment.