At-Home Thyroid Testing

This test is not suitable if:

You are under 18 years of age.

You are pregnant.

You are at an increased risk of fainting/ loss of consciousness due to blood sample collection, including if you have an arrhythmia, history of vasovagal syncope or fear of blood.

You have a bleeding disorder, or are taking medication that increases the risk of bleeding including (but not limited to) untreated hemophilia or use of blood thinning medications.

You have impaired lymphatic circulation in both upper limbs.

You have a skin disorder or condition that may result in poor healing, an increased risk of infection or skin ulceration — including (but not limited to) Raynaud’s, Scleroderma, peripheral vascular disease or peripheral neuropathy. It may be more difficult to collect a sample if you have hard or callused skin on your fingertips.

The Thyroid Antibody test is ideal for first-time users because it tests for antibodies alongside thyroid hormones. High levels of anti-thyroglobulin or anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies can be a sign of an autoimmune thyroid condition. Testing antibodies alongside your thyroid hormones can highlight a problem with your thyroid even if fluctuations mean that your hormones levels test within normal or borderline levels on the day you collect your sample. The Thyroid test checks your thyroid hormones and is a perfect test for returning users who previously have tested their thyroid antibodies. It's ideal for anyone with an existing diagnosis of a thyroid condition who wishes to check how well their condition is being managed.

The home thyroid test is for anyone who has symptoms of hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, has a family history of thyroid disease, has an autoimmune disorder or takes performance-enhancing substances.

The home thyroid antibody test is for anyone who has symptoms of hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, has a family history of thyroid disease, has an autoimmune disorder or takes performance enhancing substances.

Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) occurs when the thyroid gland is not producing a sufficient amount of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Symptoms of hypothyroidism include, but are not limited to, the following:

Weight gain

Fatigue or feeling tired all the time

Slow pulse or heart rate

Hair loss or thinning

Poor tolerance of the cold

Depression

Dry, coarse or thickened skin

Constipation

Hand tingling or pain (carpal tunnel syndrome)

Irregular period or low sex drive

Muscle cramps

Impaired memory

Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) occurs when the thyroid gland produces an excessive amount of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include, but are not limited to, the following:

Weight loss

Fatigue or feeling tired all the time

Increase or rapid heart rate

Tremors (usually in the hands)

Heat intolerance or excessive sweating

Difficulty sleeping

Frequent bowel movements or diarrhea

Anxiety

Irregular period

Low sex drive

Enlarged thyroid gland (goiter)

Bulging eyes or discomfort/ gritty feeling in the eyes 

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)

Low

TSH is produced by the pituitary gland and helps to regulate the production of key thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormones play a vital role in your metabolism, digestion, body temperature, and even your mood. In hyperthyroidism, TSH levels may be decreased, combined with high levels of thyroxine (T4).

High

On the other hand, if your TSH levels are high, it can mean that your thyroid is not making enough hormones, indicating hypothyroidism or an underactive thyroid. Approximately 5 out of 100 adults have hypothyroidism.

Free Triidothyronine (FT3)

High

High levels of FT3 can be a sign of hyperthyroidism.

Low

FT3 is produced by your thyroid gland. When combined with other thyroid tests, low levels of FT3 can be a sign of hypothyroidism.

Free Thyroxine (FT4)

Low

FT4 is produced by your thyroid gland and comes in two forms- free and bound. If your FT4 is low, it could be a sign that you have hypothyroidism or an underactive thyroid.

High

High levels of FT4 can indicate that you have hyperthyroidism or an overactive thyroid.

Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TGAB)

Normal

TGAB is an antibody that can indicate thyroid damage caused by an autoimmune disorder.

Abnormal

If TGAB are present, this can be a sign of an autoimmune thyroid condition such as Hashimoto's or Grave's disease.

Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPO/TPEX)

Normal

TPO is an enzyme normally found in the thyroid. This test can identify antibodies against TPO, which can be a sign of an autoimmune condition such as Hashimoto's or Grave's disease.

Abnormal

If TPO/TPEX antibodies are present, this can be a sign of an autoimmune thyroid disorder such as Hashimoto's or Graves' disease.

LetsGetChecked has a team of expert medical professionals who have created expert support materials and easy-to-understand results for your testing journey.

Our clinical team is on standby throughout the testing process and, if your test results are abnormal, you may receive a call to discuss your results and next steps.

The sample must be collected while fasting and before 10am on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday and returned on the same day. Each of our health tests includes a prepaid shipping envelope to return your sample to the laboratory.

Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) is very common and affects 5% of people aged 12 years and older in the US*. Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) is less common and affects 1% of people aged 12 years and older in the US**.

Thyroid disease can be caused by a number of things. The most common cause is autoimmune conditions where the body produces antibodies that cause either too much thyroid hormone to be produced (such as in Graves disease) or too little (such as in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis).

Other causes of thyroid disorders include inflammation of the thyroid gland, certain medications, pregnancy, thyroid nodules, and previous surgery or radiation therapy on or near the thyroid gland.

*Patil N, Rehman A, Jialal I. Hypothyroidism. In: StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing; 2020. Updated August 10, 2020. Accessed January 5, 2021. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519536

**De Leo S, Lee SY, Braverman LE. Hyperthyroidism. Lancet. 2016;388(10047):906–918. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(16)00278-6

Anyone can develop a thyroid disorder but there are certain risk factors for thyroid disease. Thyroid disease most commonly affects women and those who are older than 60 years of age. 

At any age, you are more likely to develop hypothyroidism if you:

Have had treatment for a thyroid disorder in the past

Have a family history of thyroid disease

Have other health problems including celiac, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, pernicious anemia, and Sjogren’s syndrome 

Have been pregnant in the last 6 months

Are taking certain medications, including some heart, psychiatric, and anti-cancer medications 

At any age, you are more likely to develop hyperthyroidism if you:

Have a family history of thyroid disease

Have other health problems including diabetes, pernicious anemia, or problems with your adrenal glands

Have been pregnant in the last 6 months

Smoke cigarettes

Keeping your personal data secure is important to us. We use appropriate technical and organizational measures to ensure security and confidentiality of your information, and only share your information where required to deliver our products and services or where we have a legal basis to do so. All samples are disposed of following analysis.

LetsGetChecked tests are physician-approved and are as accurate as tests you would take in a healthcare facility. All tests are analyzed in labs that are CLIA certified and CAP-accredited.

All our laboratories undergo frequent quality control checks to ensure the highest standard of testing. The equipment and analyzers used in our partner labs are all designed for the specific function of capillary testing. All kits come with clear instructions that will guide you on how to collect your sample.

We don’t accept insurance at this time. We work to keep our tests as affordable as possible and our test costs are generally lower than the costs incurred from a trip to a healthcare provider. We accept many Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA) cards. They can be used in the same way that a debit or credit card would be used at checkout.

If your results are abnormal, a member of our clinical team will reach out to you by phone to explain your results, answer any questions you might have, and talk you through what your next steps should be.

Our clinical team may contact you if your results are abnormal. Our nurses are available to answer any questions you have about your test results and can help guide you to your next steps. The results you receive may help you to find the answers you’re looking for so you can get more out of your conversations with your healthcare providers. Your lab report will be available to download to share with your healthcare providers.