Thyroid Disorder Monitoring: Ongoing | Quest Health

What

This test measures the level of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroxine (T4) in your blood.

Who

Must be 18+ years of age to purchase

Orders not permitted in: AK, HI, AZ

How

Type of sample to be collected:
Blood (venipuncture—a needle is used to draw blood from a vein)

Where

Find a location near you

Schedule an appointment, then visit one of our Patient Service Centers

About the test

Thyroid Disorder Monitoring, Ongoing Test Panel measures the levels of TSH and T4 in your blood. These markers help determine whether your current treatment plan is working properly for your thyroid disease. This test is intended as an additional follow-up to our Thyroid Disorder Monitoring, Initial Test Panel.

This testing option is intended for patients with a known thyroid function disorder and may be recommended by a PWN physician as a follow-up to our Thyroid Disorder Monitoring, Initial Test Panel once treatment has started.

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 and T4 blood levels are measured to help accurately determine whether your treatment dosage is providing the correct level of support.

This panel does NOT test for thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies in your blood. See FAQs.

These testing options are intended for patients with a known Thyroid function disorder and may be recommended by a PWN physician as a follow-up to our Thyroid Function Risk test once treatment has started.

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the front of the neck. Thyroid function is controlled by the pituitary gland, which produces TSH in the blood. TSH stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones (T3 and T4). TSH will also tell the body to make or release thyroid hormones. This process determines how quickly your body uses energy, makes proteins, and controls other important functions:

Body temperature
Heart rate
Breathing Skin moisture
Muscle contraction
Weight gain or loss
Brain development
Cholesterol levels
Menstruation
Nervous system function

Our Thyroid Disorder Monitoring: Ongoing test panel measures the levels of TSH and T4 in the blood to help evaluate thyroid function. Low levels of TSH in the blood may indicate an overactive thyroid gland, commonly referred to as hyperthyroidism. High levels of TSH in the blood may indicate an underactive thyroid gland, commonly referred to as hypothyroidism. Both conditions may require medical treatment. Thyroid disorders can affect any system of your body and treatment will depend on the specific thyroid condition. An undiagnosed thyroid disorder may put you at risk for cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, infertility, and other serious conditions but most thyroid conditions can be managed with medication.

Symptoms of thyroid disorders can be mild, moderate, or severe and often resemble other medical conditions. You may consider getting a thyroid function test if you're experiencing the following symptoms: Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) symptoms can include:

Weight gain
Fatigue
Increased sensitivity to cold
Thinning hair
Enlarged thyroid gland (goiter)
Muscle aches and pains
Joint pain and stiffness
Elevated cholesterol levels
Constipation
Depression
Problems with memory
Slower than normal heart rate
Dry skin
Muscle weakness
Facial puffiness

Hoarseness Hyperthyroid (overactive thyroid) symptoms can include:

Increased appetite
Irregular heartbeat
Palpitations—a fluttering or pounding heartbeat
Unintentional weight loss
More frequent bowel movements
Anxiety or nervousness
Sweating

Our Thyroid Disorder Monitoring: Ongoing Test is for anyone who wants to continue to evaluate if their thyroid treatment working properly at the direction of a physician. You must be 18 years old to purchase.

You do not need to do anything special to prepare for the sample collection. Fasting is not required for this test.

When your results are ready, we will send them to you in a clear, easy-to-read report.

You will have the option to speak with an independent physician to discuss your results.

If your results differ from expected ranges, you may receive an alert call to inform you.

How Does it Work?

Take an in-person test at a Quest Diagnostics location.

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Conveniently shop and pay online for lab tests without a doctor's visit. An independent physician will review your request and if appropriate, confirm your order and offer oversight.

Schedule and manage your appointments

Conveniently schedule your appointment online at one of our Quest Diagnostics locations. Certain tests may also offer self-testing home delivery.

Get your results online

View your results through your secure account online. And it's easy to share the result with your doctor.

Your results are available on our free, secure patient portal that you can access on your smartphone, tablet, or desktop. You will receive an email notification when your results are ready. You can also share your results with your doctor, family, or friends.

FAQs

How common is hypothyroidism?

About 5 percent of Americans who are 12 years old or older have hypothyroidism. Many people who have hypothyroidism are unaware.

Which thyroid disorder is most common, hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism?

Hypothyroidism is more common.

How often should I have my thyroid function checked?

Currently, there is no evidence to support routine screening of your thyroid function. You may consider checking your thyroid function if you are having symptoms of a thyroid disorder or if you are at high risk for developing a thyroid disease. If you have been diagnosed with a thyroid disorder, you may have your thyroid function checked more frequently. Consult with your healthcare provider to determine a longer-term care plan.

Are there risk factors to be aware of for developing thyroid disease?

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

If I have a thyroid condition, how do I obtain treatment for it?

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.

Thyroid Disorder Monitoring Test Panel - Ongoing

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