At present, LetsGetChecked has performed almost 800,000 tests and detected over 36,000 abnormal results. This at-home testing method includes our range of at-home Thyroid Tests which can help in identifying thyroid problems or damage.
The thyroid gland is a small butterfly-shaped gland located in the middle of the lower neck, it’s responsible for a number of cell functions - from regulating your metabolism to balancing your breathing and heart rate. With these crucial roles in mind, when your thyroid isn’t functioning as it should, it can cause a range of symptoms, including fatigue, weight changes, and muscle weakness, which can greatly impact your day to day life. This is why it’s so important to stay in the know when it comes to your thyroid health.
Thyroid Health: What you Should Know
It’s estimated that over 20 million people in the United States have some form of thyroid condition - almost 60% of these people have no idea [2]. Thyroid disorders can result in a range of symptoms, some of which can cause serious health complications, such as goiter or heart problems. This is more commonly seen in those with undiagnosed thyroid disorders, as these people will not be receiving proper treatment and management of their condition. For this reason, it’s easy to understand why early diagnosis and regular testing are key.
Thyroid Problems: Causes
Two of the most common thyroid conditions include hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Both are generally caused by other conditions or factors that can have an impact on the way the thyroid functions [3].
Hypothyroidism causes
- Hashimoto's disease
- Over-response to hyperthyroidism treatment
- Radiation therapy
- Medications
Hyperthyroidism causes
- Graves disease
- Thyroiditis
- Plummer’s disease
Thyroid Problems: Symptoms
Indicators of Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism, also commonly referred to as an underactive thyroid, occurs when the thyroid doesn’t produce enough hormones - namely thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), this commonly results in the following symptoms[4]:
- Fatigue
- Increased sensitivity to cold
- Constipation
- Dry skin
- Weight gain
- Puffy face
- Hoarseness
- Muscle weakness
- Elevated blood cholesterol level
- Muscle aches, tenderness and stiffness
- Pain, stiffness or swelling in your joints
- Heavier than normal or irregular menstrual periods
Indicators of Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid, occurs when the thyroid produces too much thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), the most common signs of this particular type of thyroid disorder include[5]:
- Weight loss
- Rapid heartbeat
- Irregular heartbeat
- Heart palpitations
- Increased appetite
- Nervousness, anxiety, and irritability
- Tremors
- Sweating
- Changes in menstrual patterns
- Increased sensitivity to heat
- Changes in bowel patterns
- An enlarged thyroid gland
- Fatigue, muscle weakness
How it works
1. Choose the test that’s right for you and we will ship it using next day delivery. From the moment the test leaves our facility, you will be notified by text message or email and you can track it all the way to your door.
2. You will complete a quick activation step, whereby you activate your test and answer a few health-related questions from your personalized dashboard.
3. Your health record is reviewed in real-time by a LetsGetChecked medical team member and additional support services will be provided to you as needed.
4. You will collect your sample at a time that is comfortable to you. You don't need to work to a doctor's or laboratory's schedule.
5. After collecting your sample, you will have a prepaid shipping label to get the sample back to the laboratory for processing. You can track the sample from the moment it leaves your door and you will receive a notification when it arrives in our lab.
6. Once your sample has been processed, our team of doctors will review your results. A member of the nursing team will contact you to deliver your results and discuss the next steps. We can provide advice on lifestyle changes to improve your health and in some cases, we can offer prescriptions.
LetsGetChecked’s at-home Thyroid Tests have helped thousands of individuals know more about their thyroid health. With online results available within 2-5 days and our dedicated medical team on hand to answer any questions you may have, you can be confident that your health is in safe hands.
References
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The Journal of Clinical Edocrinology and Metabolism. The Incidence and Prevalence of Thyroid Dysfunction in Europe: A Meta-Analysis. Online: Academic.oup.com, 2014 (Reference for 13 million figure in title)
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American Thyroid Association. General Information/Press Room. Online: Thyroid.org
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American Thyroid Association. General Information/Press Room. Online: Thyroid.org
