View our range of thyroid blood tests to determine which test is best for your situation. Your thyroid deserves attention, and a blood test can provide crucial information for a healthy and balanced life.
Your thyroid, a small butterfly-shaped organ in your neck, plays a crucial role in regulating your metabolism, energy balance and overall health. When it comes to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, monitoring your thyroid blood levels is an important aspect that many women should be aware of. In this article, we will discuss why and when you should have your thyroid levels examined, and how it can contribute to optimal health.
Why Your Thyroid Is Important
The thyroid gland produces hormones essential for the regulation of various bodily functions, including:
- Metabolism: Thyroid hormones affect the rate at which your body burns calories. A properly functioning thyroid can help you maintain a healthy weight.
Energy: They affect your energy levels and fatigue. A sluggish thyroid can lead to - fatigue and lethargy.
- Heart and digestive functions: Thyroid hormones also affect your heart rate and digestion, which is essential for a healthy heart and a well-functioning gastrointestinal system.
- Reproductive health: They play a role in regulating the menstrual cycle and fertility.
- Mood: Thyroid problems can lead to mood swings and depression.
When You Should Have Your Thyroid Values Examined
Although thyroid problems are more common in women than in men, it is important to note that not everyone will experience thyroid problems at the same time in their lives. However, there are some indications and situations in which it is wise to have your thyroid levels checked:
- Family history: If thyroid problems run in your family, you may be at increased risk.
- Pregnancy: During pregnancy, the thyroid gland may undergo changes. It is important to monitor thyroid levels to prevent complications.
- Symptoms of thyroid disease: Watch for symptoms such as weight fluctuations, extreme fatigue, hair loss, mood swings, and cold intolerance.
- Autoimmune diseases: If you already have an autoimmune disease, such as type 1 diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis, you are at increased risk for thyroid problems.
- Changes in the menstrual cycle: Irregular or absent menstruation may indicate thyroid problems.
- Aging: As you age, the risk of thyroid problems increases.
- Weight problems: If you're having trouble losing weight or just inexplicably losing weight, it could be a sign of a thyroid problem.
If you have symptoms, your doctor will want to test you for TSH, only if it deviates will you be investigated further. at Bloedwaardentest.nl you can have all thyroid values tested immediately. Also the antibodies. These antibodies against the thyroid occur even before the TSH is abnormal. With the knowledge of your thyroid blood values you can tackle your problems in time.
Different Tests for Thyroid Disorders
In our assortment, you will find several tests that are useful if you suspect you have thyroid disease. These tests measure various thyroid values, including antibodies and reverse T3.
Antibodies and Thyroid Problems
In thyroid disorders, antibodies can play an important role. Here is an overview of how often antibodies are elevated in the diagnosis of thyroid autoimmune diseases:
Graves' disease:
- TSH lowered
- Free T4 and free T3 increased
- TSH receptor antibodies (mostly stimulatory) (TRAK) 80-100%
- TPO autoantibodies (MAK) 45-80%.
- Tg autoantibodies (TAK) 12-30%.
Hashimoto's disease:
- TSH elevated
- Free T4 and free T3 reduced
- TSH receptor antibodies (mostly blocking) 6%
- TPO autoantibodies (high titer) 95%
- Tg autoantibodies (high titer) 50-60%
- Complaints in Thyroid Auto-immunity
Thyroid autoimmunity can cause different symptoms depending on the type of condition:
Symptoms in Graves' disease (thyroid gland working too fast):
- Weight Loss
- Palpitations
- Sweat
- An agitated feeling
- Vibrate
- Muscle weakness
- Diarrhea
- Being easily irritated
- Fatigue
- Warm and clammy skin
Symptoms in Hashimoto's disease (thyroid gland working too slowly):
- Unexplained weight gain
- Fluid retention (edema), bloated face
- Fatigue and lethargy
- Dizziness
- Low body temperature
- Coldness
- Cardiac arrhythmias
- Swollen thyroid gland (goitre)
- Menstrual complaints
- Tingling in limbs
- Hair loss
- Bulging eyes and drooping eyelids
- Weak nails
- Dry skin
- Vitiligo (loss of pigmentation of the skin)
- Memory and concentration problems
- Stomach and intestinal congestion
- Muscle pain and muscle cramps
- Reduced appetite
- Emotional instability and depression
Not all symptoms have to occur at the same time.
More information about thyroid blood tests from Blood Value Test can be found here:
