What is an advanced thyroid test and what does the thyroid gland do? The thyroid gland is an important part of the hormone system of the body. The thyroid hormones it produces, T3 and T4, affect almost every cell in the body.
This advanced thyroid test checks your levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free T3 (FT3) and free T4 (FT4) to see if you have the right level of thyroid hormones for a healthy metabolism. It also checks two types of antibodies that can attack the thyroid and cause it not to function properly.
TSH is made by the pituitary gland in the brain and stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones, mostly T4. Both T3 and T4 bind to proteins as they travel around your body which means they are not readily available to your cells. By testing FT3 and FT4, this test measures the level unbound hormone which are available to be used by your body.
T3 is the more biologically active hormone than T4 so it is important that both hormone levels are checked as you can have normal TSH and FT4 but low levels of FT3 causing symptoms of an underactive thyroid.
At The Slimming Clinic we think it is important to have your thyroid function checked when working to lose weight as problems with thyroid hormones can have an impact on your metabolism and how your body uses the energy in the nutrients you eat. It can sometimes be the reason why you may have struggled to lose weight or found yourself easily gaining weight previously.
Thyroid dysfunction can lead to symptoms such as feeling tired or fatigued, mood changes, weight gain, sensitivity to temperature and low energy levels. It can sometimes be difficult to diagnose a thyroid issue when symptoms are mild or you have not had a full comprehensive test of your thyroid function.
If your thyroid test indicates that you may have a thyroid condition, our team of clinicians will be able to explain the results to you and refer you to your GP to have further investigation and potential treatment if required.