The thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland that sits behind and below the Adam’s apple. A wide range of factors from hormone imbalances to mineral deficiencies and environmental pollutants can interfere with thyroid production, leading to health problems. A thyroid imbalance can be indicated by measuring levels of key thyroid hormones TSH, free T4, free T3, reverse T3, anti-TG antibodies, and anti-TPO antibodies.

Indications

• Anxiety/Panic attacks

• Coldness

• Constipation

• Decreased memory and concentration

• Depression

• Dysmenorrhea

• Fatigue

• Fluid retention

• Hair loss

• Headaches

• Low sex drive

• Muscle and joint pain

• PMS (premenstrual syndrome)

• Poor skin

• Weight gain

Overview

The Comprehensive Thyroid Assessment is a hormone test that provides a thorough analysis of thyroid hormone metabolism. It includes central thyroid gland regulation and activity, thyroid production and secretion, peripheral thyroid conversion, and thyroid autoimmunity. Thyroid hormones are essential and primary regulators of the body's metabolism. Hormone imbalances can affect virtually every metabolic process in the body, exerting significant effects on mood and energy level. Thyroid hormones also play central metabolic roles in healthy sexual and reproductive function in both women and men.

This hormone test allows the practitioner to pinpoint common imbalances that underlie a broad spectrum of chronic illness. To assess central and peripheral thyroid function, as well as thyroid auto-immunity, this test analyzes serum levels of 

• TSH
• free T4
• free T3
• reverse T3
• anti-TG antibodies
• anti-TPO antibodies 

Practical

Specimen requirements:

Serum (blood drawn). (4ml serum (frozen) in transfer tubes from SST. Centrifuged.)

Stability: 3 days in room temperature or refrigerated stability/ 2 weeks frozen.

Average processing time:

9 ±3 days

Research

• Hollowell JG, et al. Serum TSH, T(4), and thyroid antibodies in the United States population (1988 to 1994): National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III). J Clin Endocrinol Metab. Feb 2002;87(2):489-99.

• Lauritano EC, Bilotta AL, Gabrielli M, et al. Association between Hypothyroidism and Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 2007;92(11):4180-4184.
• Sategna-Guidtti C, et al. Prevalence of thyroid disorders in untreated adult celiac disease patients and effect of gluten withdrawal: an Italian multicenter study. Am J Gastroenterol. 2001 Mar;96(3):751-7.

• Spencer CA, et a. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) thyroperoxidase antibody relationships demonstrate that TSH upper reference limits may be skewed by occult thyroiddysfunction. J Clin Endcrinol Metab 2007 Nov;92(11):4236-40.

• Tomer Y, Davies TF. Infection, Thyroid Disease, and Autoimmunity*. Endocrine Reviews. 1993;14(1):107-120.