Thyroid Disorder Monitoring — Initial
Measure key hormones in thyroid function for those diagnosed with a thyroid disorder. This test should only be purchased as directed by your physician or if you are undergoing treatment for hypothyroidism. If your test results are abnormal, an independent physician may be able to provide you with treatment options. Read more
The Thyroid Disorder Monitoring, Initial Test Panel measures the levels of TSH, T4, and TPO antibodies in your blood. These markers help determine whether your treatment plan is working properly to manage your thyroid disease. This test is intended as a follow-up for those being provided a treatment option after taking our Thyroid Function Test.
PLEASE NOTE
Noticeable changes in your metabolism (weight, temperature, and energy) may be a sign or symptom that there is too much or too little TSH in your blood. If TSH levels are too high or too low, this may indicate your thyroid is overactive (hyperthyroidism) or underactive (hypothyroidism). With this test panel, TSH, T4 and TPO blood levels are measured to help accurately determine whether your initial or adjusted treatment dosage is providing the correct level of support for your recently diagnosed thyroid disorder. If you have not been diagnosed with a thyroid disorder but you think you may have a thyroid disorder, we strongly recommend you consider the Thyroid Function Test first.
How it works
questhealth.com offers 100+ consumer-initiated Quest Diagnostics lab tests to empower you to have more control over your health journey. Choose from a variety of test types that best suit your needs.
Even if you don’t have symptoms, you may consider testing if you have the following risk factors:
- Family history of thyroid disease
- Women
- People over age 50
- Have an autoimmune disease such as type 1 diabetes
- History of thyroid surgery
- Radiation treatment for a past thyroid condition
- Recent pregnancy
- Taking medication high in iodine
Initial testing for the evaluation of thyroid function should include TSH with reflex to serum T4 when TSH is abnormal. If treatment is started, recommended testing includes TSH and free T4 to be measured 6 weeks after initiation of treatment or if the dose is changed. Once steady state is achieved, annual monitoring of TSH is recommended or as needed if a patient develops new or worsening symptoms.
If treatment is not started, but retesting or monitoring is warranted, it is recommended to test TSH and/or T4.
Testing TPO antibodies is recommended for subclinical hypothyroidism, painless (silent) thyroiditis, Hashimoto disease, or postpartum thyroiditis, to predict the likelihood of progression to permanent overt hypothyroidism. TPO antibody can also be measured in the presence of a goiter in patients with normal TSH. The Thyroid Disorder Monitoring, Initial Panel does test for TPO. The Thyroid Disorder Monitoring, Ongoing panel does not test for TPO.
If thyroid (TSH) is abnormal, T4 is also performed on the sample you have already provided.
During the Consult, the Participant may discuss the results, get educational information, and talk about next steps. If the Participant’s results show that he or she has hypothyroidism, the PWN Physician may be able to prescribe medication, if appropriate.