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Testing for health conditions at home is increasingly popular, as the tests are often convenient and discreet. Here, we look at some popular options for testing thyroid function, including their costs and aftercare.
If you want to carry out a thyroid test, you may consider one of the following from these popular companies. None of these companies state that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves their thyroid tests.
The thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland located at the front of the neck. This gland makes and releases thyroid hormones, which help regulate the body’s use of energy.
Around 90% of the hormones the thyroid makes are in the form of thyroxine, also known as T4 or inactive thyroid hormone. The other 10% are in the form of triiodothyronine, also known as T3 or active thyroid hormone.
TSH meaning
The pituitary gland makes thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). This signals to the thyroid how much thyroid hormone it needs to produce.
Thyroid hormones affect almost every organ in the body. Important body functions that the thyroid controls include:
At-home thyroid tests typically measure several thyroid hormones, including:
TSH
T3
T4
Some tests also check for thyroid antibodies. The presence of these can indicate the autoimmune disease Hashimoto thyroiditis.
The results of thyroid testing help you determine whether you need to consult a doctor.
Using a testing kit typically involves taking a finger-prick blood sample, placing the sample in a plastic bag, and returning it to the company in the provided envelope.
Each testing kit has specific instructions, and it is essential to follow these carefully to ensure an accurate result.
Some testing companies also have a doctor review your results. If you prefer, the company may be able to send the results to your regular doctor.
It is important to note that several things can interfere with thyroid test results, affecting the test itself or your thyroid hormone levels.
Examples that affect thyroid hormone levels include:
However, research into the accuracy of at-home tests is limited. The risk of collecting an unusable sample is higher when using an at-home test, so it is important to read and follow any instructions from the manufacturer carefully.
Using companies that analyze samples in CLIA and CAP-certified labs may mean higher accuracy, as these labs must meet strict state and federal standards to have certifications.
You may also wish to contact a doctor or healthcare professional for help interpreting your test results, and you may need further tests to confirm or rule out a health condition.
A blood test showing a high level of TSH may indicate hypothyroidism.
Higher levels of TSH and T4 levels in a typical range may mean a risk of developing hypothyroidism in the future.
If your test results show you to have low TSH levels and higher levels of T3 or T4, it may suggest you have hyperthyroidism.
However, it is important to discuss any at-home thyroid test results with a healthcare professional to ensure you are interpreting the results correctly.
Once you receive the results of your at-home thyroid test, you should speak with a doctor who can review the results and advise on the next steps.
However, whether you have taken a thyroid test or not, you can look out for some symptoms of a thyroid condition. For example, someone with hypothyroidism can present with symptoms such as fatigue, heightened sensitivity to cold, constipation, and weight gain.
Someone with hyperthyroidism, on the other hand, can present with symptoms such as nervousness, weakness, weight loss, and heightened sensitivity to heat.
If you experience any of these symptoms, or any of the others listed in this article, speak with a doctor or healthcare professional as soon as possible to determine the cause.
According to the British Thyroid Foundation, there is a link between body temperature and thyroid function. For example, a low body temperature may indicate a hypothyroid condition. However, body temperature alone does not define thyroid health.
If you want to check your thyroid at home without a blood test, you may be able to do so with a thermometer by following the steps below:
Before going to bed, put a thermometer on a beside surface or somewhere else that you can easily reach without getting up.
Upon waking up, hold the thermometer against the bare skin of the armpit.
Keep the thermometer in the armpit for several minutes while lying down.
Write down the temperature reading.
Do this for several days in a row to get an average.
If you menstruate, you should perform this test from the second day of your cycle because your body temperature rises naturally during ovulation.
To gauge whether your body temperature suggests that you are in good health, scientists say that the average adult body temperature is 97.86°F (36.59°C).
However, this can vary from person to person and depending on where on the body you take a measurement.
You should always consult a doctor if you are concerned about your thyroid function.
Yes, you can check your thyroid levels at home with an at-home test. You will need to collect a sample — usually a finger-prick blood sample — and send it to a laboratory. You can get your results within a few working days.
You can get a thyroid test without going to a doctor by purchasing at-home test kits online.
If you have hypothyroidism, you may feel fatigued, depressed, and extra sensitive to cold temperatures.
If you have hyperthyroidism, you may feel nervous, weak, and extra sensitive to heat.
You should check your thyroid function with a doctor or an at-home test kit.
Knowing and noticing the signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism can alert you to a possible thyroid condition.
However, getting the results of an at-home test can then help you decide whether you need to speak with a doctor or healthcare professional.
There is little research into the accuracy of at-home tests.
You should follow the test’s instructions carefully to make sure you collect a valid sample.
You can also prioritize getting tests from companies that use Clinical Laboratory Independent Amendments (CLIA) and College of American Pathologists (CAP) certified labs.
At-home thyroid tests can be more convenient than visiting a clinic, which may help some people manage their health.
People can often access their results in a few days and review them with a doctor or healthcare professional. If you receive a positive result, an appropriate healthcare team can help you develop a treatment plan that best suits your needs.
Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
Gavin KM, et al. (2023). Identification and management of thyroid dysfunction using at-home sample collection and telehealth services: Retrospective analysis of real-world data. https://www.jmir.org/2023/1/e43707/
