Thyroid Disorder Monitoring: Initial | Quest®

Thyroid Disorder Monitoring — Initial

Measure key hormones in thyroid function for those diagnosed with a thyroid disorder. This test should only be purchased as directed by your physician or if you are undergoing treatment for hypothyroidism. If your test results are abnormal, an independent physician may be able to provide you with treatment options. Read more

Test details

Sample type:

Blood

Preparation:

You do not need to do anything special to prepare for the sample collection. Fasting is not required for this test.

Test type: In Person

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$115.00

+ $9.10 Physician Service Fee

Quantity

What

This test measures the levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroxine (T4), and thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies in your blood.

Who

Must be 18+ years of age to purchase.

How

Blood

Where

Find a location near you

Schedule an appointment, then visit one of the Quest Diagnostics Patient Service Centers

About the Test

The Thyroid Disorder Monitoring, Initial Test Panel measures the levels of TSH, T4, and TPO antibodies in your blood. These markers help determine whether your treatment plan is working properly to manage your thyroid disease. This test is intended as a follow-up for those being provided a treatment option after taking our Thyroid Function Test.

PLEASE NOTE

Noticeable changes in your metabolism (weight, temperature, and energy) may be a sign or symptom that there is too much or too little TSH in your blood. If TSH levels are too high or too low, this may indicate your thyroid is overactive (hyperthyroidism) or underactive (hypothyroidism). With this test panel, TSH, T4 and TPO blood levels are measured to help accurately determine whether your initial or adjusted treatment dosage is providing the correct level of support for your recently diagnosed thyroid disorder. If you have not been diagnosed with a thyroid disorder but you think you may have a thyroid disorder, we strongly recommend you consider the Thyroid Function Test first.

Our Thyroid Disorder Monitoring: Initial test panel measures the levels of TSH and T4 in the blood to help evaluate thyroid function. Low levels of TSH in the blood may indicate an overactive thyroid gland, commonly referred to as hyperthyroidism. High levels of TSH in the blood may indicate an underactive thyroid gland, commonly referred to as hypothyroidism. Both conditions may require medical treatment.

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the front of the neck. Thyroid function is controlled by the pituitary gland, which produces TSH in the blood. TSH stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones (T3 and T4). TPO is also evaluated as it plays an important role in the production of thyroid hormones. TSH will also tell the body to make or release thyroid hormones. This process determines how quickly your body uses energy, makes proteins, and controls other important functions:

Body temperature
Heart rate
Breathing
Skin moisture
Muscle contraction
Weight gain or loss
Brain development
Cholesterol levels
Menstruation
Nervous system function

Thyroid disorders can affect any system of your body and treatment will depend on the specific thyroid condition. An undiagnosed thyroid disorder may put you at risk for cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, infertility, and other serious conditions but most thyroid conditions can be managed with medication.

Symptoms of thyroid disorders can be mild, moderate, or severe and often resemble other medical conditions. You may consider getting a thyroid function test if you're experiencing the following symptoms: Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) symptoms can include:

Weight gain
Fatigue
Increased sensitivity to cold
Thinning hair
Enlarged thyroid gland (goiter)
Muscle aches and pains
Joint pain and stiffness
Elevated cholesterol levels
Constipation
Depression
Problems with memory
Slower than normal heart rate
Dry skin
Muscle weakness
Facial puffiness

Hoarseness Hyperthyroid (overactive thyroid) symptoms can include:

Increased appetite
Irregular heartbeat
Palpitations—a fluttering or pounding heartbeat
Unintentional weight loss
More frequent bowel movements
Anxiety or nervousness
Sweating

You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase a test on questhealth.com. This test is for anyone who wants to continue to evaluate if their thyroid treatment working properly at the direction of a physician. Purchases not permitted in: AK, AZ, HI.

You do not need to do anything special to prepare for the sample collection. Fasting is not required for this test.

After the Test:
After you provide your specimen, it generally takes few business days to process and release your test results. However, processing times may vary. Your test results will be available in a clear and easy-to-read report. If your results differ from expected ranges, you may receive an alert call from an independent healthcare coordinator. Independent physicians are available to discuss questions or concerns you may have regarding your results.

Treatment Options:
Included with your purchase, you have the option to discuss your results with an independent physician who may be able to prescribe menopause-symptom and/or hypothyroidism specific treatment depending on your results.

How it works

questhealth.com offers 100+ consumer-initiated Quest Diagnostics lab tests to empower you to have more control over your health journey. Choose from a variety of test types that best suit your needs.

In-person
In-home sample collection

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No doctor visit required for purchase. Book a visit to one of 2000+ Quest locations.

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Visit Quest for sample collection

Complete your test sample collection during your scheduled appointment.

Get fast results online

Access results online as soon as they’re available.

View results

Get physician support

Discuss your results with an independent physician at no extra cost.

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+ in-home sample collection

If in-home service is available in your area, purchase for an additional $79 fee.

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Schedule an appointment

After you make a purchase, Quest Mobile will contact you to schedule an in-home sample collection appointment.

In-home sample collection

A Quest Mobile phlebotomist will collect your sample and deliver it to Quest Diagnostics.

Get fast results online

Access results online as soon as they’re available. Discuss your results with an independent physician at no extra cost.

View results

In-home sample collection is not available in all locations.
Is in-home sample collection available near me?

Thyroid disorders can affect men and women of all ages. Getting tested is important, especially for those with a family history, as undiagnosed thyroid disease can contribute to infertility, sexual dysfunction, osteoporosis and heart disease.

FAQs

How common is hypothyroidism?

About 5 percent of Americans who are 12 years old or older have hypothyroidism. Many people who have hypothyroidism are unaware.

Which thyroid disorder is most common, hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism?

Hypothyroidism is more common.

How often should I have my thyroid function checked?

Currently, there is no evidence to support routine screening of your thyroid function. You may consider checking your thyroid function if you are having symptoms of a thyroid disorder or if you are at high risk for developing a thyroid disease. If you have been diagnosed with a thyroid disorder, you may have your thyroid function checked more frequently. Consult with your healthcare provider to determine a longer-term care plan.

Are there risk factors to be aware of for developing thyroid disease?

Even if you don’t have symptoms, you may consider testing if you have the following risk factors:

Family history of thyroid disease
Women
People over age 50
Have an autoimmune disease such as type 1 diabetes
History of thyroid surgery
Radiation treatment for a past thyroid condition
Recent pregnancy
Taking medication high in iodine

If I have a thyroid condition, how do I obtain treatment for it?

Initial testing for the evaluation of thyroid function should include TSH with reflex to serum T4 when TSH is abnormal. If treatment is started, recommended testing includes TSH and free T4 to be measured 6 weeks after initiation of treatment or if the dose is changed. Once steady state is achieved, annual monitoring of TSH is recommended or as needed if a patient develops new or worsening symptoms.

If treatment is not started, but retesting or monitoring is warranted, it is recommended to test TSH and/or T4.

Testing TPO antibodies is recommended for subclinical hypothyroidism, painless (silent) thyroiditis, Hashimoto disease, or postpartum thyroiditis, to predict the likelihood of progression to permanent overt hypothyroidism. TPO antibody can also be measured in the presence of a goiter in patients with normal TSH. The Thyroid Disorder Monitoring, Initial Panel does test for TPO. The Thyroid Disorder Monitoring, Ongoing panel does not test for TPO.

If thyroid (TSH) is abnormal, T4 is also performed on the sample you have already provided.

During the Consult, the Participant may discuss the results, get educational information, and talk about next steps. If the Participant’s results show that he or she has hypothyroidism, the PWN Physician may be able to prescribe medication, if appropriate.

Can I use my FSA or HSA funds to purchase tests at questhealth.com?

You may be able to use your FSA or HSA funds to purchase lab tests at questhealth.com. Please review your FSA/HSA plan or check with a tax professional to confirm specific requirements for individual eligibility.

Tests purchased on questhealth.com are only for individuals who intend to pay directly for testing and do not want to submit a claim for reimbursement under their health insurance.

Thyroid Disorder Monitoring — Initial