3 Reasons to Take a Home Thyroid Test

The home thyroid test is a test in which the sampletesting is done for confirmation.
can be collected at home and sent to a laboratory for2. The numbers show that there are probably 13 million
testing. The thyroid is a small butterfly shaped gland atAmericans or more who suffer from thyroid issues
the base of the throat and is responsible for a lot ofwithout even knowing about it. A home thyroid test
activities that occur in the body. It controls metabolismhelps you assess thyroid levels in the convenience of
and various functions of the organs and affectsyour home so that you do not miss checking a simple
weight, energy levels, memory, heart rate and more.thing like this just due to the inconvenience or expense
The thyroid gland itself is triggered into action by theof a doctor or hospital. A simple TSH test done at
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (commonly called thehome can help you understand if your TSH falls in the
TSH) that is produced by the pituitary gland.normal range, or is higher or lower. You can then seek
Since it is the TSH that really initiates the production ofprofessional medical advice for treatment.
the thyroid hormones, a thyroid test is in fact a test to3. In addition to the above there are various patients
measure TSH and therefore can also be called a TSHthat are being treated for specific ailments or being
test. Higher than normal levels of TSH indicategiven symptomatic treatment without really knowing
hyperthyroidism and lower levels indicatethe real cause of the problem just because a thyroid
hypothyroidism.test has not been done. A simple and convenient
There are very compelling reasons to opt for thehome thyroid test can help you understand what the
home thyroid test. Some of these have beenroot cause of your symptoms could be.
mentioned here for your consideration.The thyroid test home kits that are available only
1. Hyperthyroidism can result in excessive and suddenrequire a few drops of blood placed in a collection
weight loss, tiredness, agitation, insomnia, tremors,chamber. In some home thyroid tests, the sample is
palpitations and muscle atrophy. These symptoms arecollected at home and then sent to a laboratory for
not easy to associate with a thyroid gland that istesting in a special mailer. A process like this is also
overactive since these symptoms tend to be takenmore convenient as compared to a thyroid test in
lightly at times. Only if you get a thyroid test donewhich you need to go to the laboratory yourself.
regularly can you assess the real nature of theThe sooner you take the first step towards getting
problem. Similarly, hypothyroidism can cause weightthyroid testing done, the sooner you shall be able to
gain, depression, constipation, hair loss, memory lossstart proper treatment if some symptoms exist. Our
and dry skin. These symptoms also may not be easilyhome TSH test is a great tool for both men and
associated with low thyroid activity unless thyroidwomen who want to take that step.