Thyroid Test

Table of contents

Thyroid Test - what is it and how the test is done

Our body contains several important endocrine glands that help regulate its metabolism and other functions that are required for us to function properly. The thyroid gland is one of such principal glands without which several functions of our body will stop taking place normally. In case your doctor suspects that your thyroid gland is not functioning properly, they will right away order a blood test that will determine: - the functioning of your thyroid gland and if it is working normally, - the levels of thyroid hormone (T3 and T4) in the blood, and - whether you have hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, based on low or high levels of these hormones, respectively. A thyroid function test is a simple blood test, where blood is drawn from your arm and then sent to the lab for analysis. However, with these thyroid function test evaluations, it becomes easier to order a targeted treatment plan that will help bring back your thyroid gland functioning back to normal and will enable the circulating thyroid hormones to remain within their normal ranges, thus ensuring a perfectly well-balanced metabolism of your body.

Common conditions covered by a Thyroid Function Test

Hypothyroidism Hyperthyroidism Iodine deficiency Thyrotoxicosis Postpartum thyroiditis Acute thyroiditis

Where to get a Thyroid Blood Test in Italy

Thyroid Test at-Home and Self Tests

Thyroid Test FAQs

The thyroid is a crucial gland in the neck. It produces thyroid hormones responsible for maintaining essential metabolic functions such as producing energy, producing warmth, and maintaining functions of vital organs such as the heart, liver, and kidney.

TFTs measure the levels of three hormones: TSH (stimulating thyroid hormone), T3, and T4. Thyroglobulin protein levels may also be measured for some patients to assess thyroid function. Based on the levels of the above parameters, your specialist will determine whether your thyroid is usually working or not.

Blood tests for thyroid hormone levels provide the information necessary to keep the levels within the normal range and decide on appropriate individualized therapy for a patient according to his specific condition. If the patient is diagnosed with low thyroid levels (hypothyroidism), a TSH test is opted once a year to check that levels are within the normal range. If the levels are higher (hyperthyroidism), TSH and T4 (FT4) levels will be assessed, and the frequency of testing will depend on the selected treatment.

Biotin supplements can lead to false positive results if it is not discontinued two days before the scheduled thyroid tests.

The thyroid antibody test is a test that is used to measure antibodies produced in the body against the thyroid gland. This test is specifically for autoimmune diseases of the thyroid. Another test is radioactive iodine uptake, which measures whether your thyroid gland is absorbing Iodine (the precursor to the formation of thyroid hormone) or not. This test is beneficial in the case of hyperthyroidism.

A Thyroid Function Test in Italy costs on average 40 Euros. (information based on our data as of September 2022)