Thyroid Function Test

It is important to have a thyroid function test to assess how well your thyroid is functioning. A thyroid problem is complex. You will not feel physically well or have the ability to lose weight unless you fix your thyroid.

Thyroid problems produce a multitude of symptoms that can affect any or every part of the body.

There are four main ways to diagnose low thyroid function:

1. Thyroid Hormone Blood Test
2. Signs & Symptoms Checklist
3. Basal Body Temperature Testing
4. Brachioradialis Reflexometry

Although there are numerous lab tests that can be used to evaluate thyroid function, many doctors only test Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) levels due to restraints within the current medical model.

You may be told that your thyroid function is normal when TSH levels are within an acceptable range. Unfortunately having normal TSH levels does not automatically rule out a hypothyroid condition.

If you suspect you have a sluggish or under active thyroid it is recommended that ask your health practitioner to perform a comprehensive thyroid function test. This includes measuring total T4 , T3 and reverse T3 along with TSH. This will assist an accurate diagnosis of actual thyroid function.

In addition, testing for thyroid antibodies will exclude autoimmune destruction of the thyroid gland due to Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. This thyroid condition is one of the main causes of hypothyroidism.

It is important that you understand your thyroid function test, and you should feel confident in asking your health practitioner for copies of your lab results.

Unfortunately blood tests for T3 measure both normal T3 and reverse T3 as testing does not distinguish between the two.

T3 levels may appear normal, however a significant proportion may include inactive reverse T3. This provides a false diagnosis of true thyroid gland function.

To overcome this diagnostic problem a specific test of reverse T3 should be done to rule out reverse T3 dominance.

Diagnosing thyroid health is often difficult when only a thyroid function test is used. If you have borderline hypothyroidism the current testing may not be sensitive enough to diagnose this problem.

You should also discuss any signs & symptoms that you feel relate to thyroid function with your health practitioner. This could include dry skin & hair, low libido, unexplained fatigue, rapid weight gain, menstrual irregularities, mood changes, heart palpitations or muscle weakness.

These signs & symptoms are significant indications that your thyroid is not working well. Do not under estimate any of these.

A check of your basal body temperature upon waking is also a good indicator of thyroid health. Your basal body temperature is your resting temperature. It is the temperature of your body immediately on waking, before any physical activity has been undertaken.

Checking your basal body temperature is important as this is a good indicator of low thyroid function. Your basal temperature reflects your metabolic rate, which is mainly controlled by your thyroid hormones.

Basal temperature testing can be done at home, making this is a simple way to assess current thyroid function.

Lower than normal body temperature readings indicate sluggish metabolism, often a direct result of low thyroid function.

Your basal body temperature should be between 97.6 - 98.2 Fahrenheit or 36 - 37 Celsius (36.5 Celsius is ideal).

Brachioradialis Reflexometry is performed by tapping a muscle in your arm (the brachioradialis) and recording the reflex. From this a specialised computer program is used to assess how well the thyroid is functioning. This includes an assessment of your resting metabolic rate.

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