Test Overview

The test measures the amount of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in your blood, which could be an indicator of thyroid disease. It is important to diagnose an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) as early as possible. By taking this at-home test it may help you spot a potential issue now and avoid more serious health concerns in the future.

Normal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels typically fall between 0.4 and 4.0 milliunits per liter (mU/L). This TSH test detects elevated levels above 5 μIU/ml, which may indicate hypothyroidism and require further investigation.

Underactive TSH or Hypothyroidism

Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) signals the thyroid gland to make hormones that control how your body uses and stores energy, called metabolism. When TSH and thyroid hormones are out of balance, this can cause a range of issues relating to the muscles, breathing, body temperature, and more. Testing the TSH level in your blood can reveal if your thyroid gland is functioning normally.

When the thyroid gland doesn’t make enough of two important hormones, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), it is called hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid. In response, the pituitary gland makes more TSH to try to stimulate the thyroid so it will make more hormones. Hypothyroidism is more common than hyperthyroidism and can significantly affect both physical and mental health if left untreated.

Various factors can lead to hypothyroidism, including insufficient thyroid hormone production, lack of iodine, genetic predispositions, chronic inflammation, and hormonal shifts during pregnancy and menopause.

Both men and women can have an underactive thyroid, although it's more common in women. Children can also develop an underactive thyroid and some babies are born with it. There's no way of preventing an underactive thyroid. Most cases are caused either by the immune system attacking the thyroid gland and damaging it, or by damage to the thyroid that occurs during some treatments for an overactive thyroid or thyroid cancer.

An underactive thyroid can often be successfully treated by taking daily hormone tablets to replace the hormones your thyroid is not making. People who have a thyroid disorder are likely to require regular TSH testing to ensure that their symptoms remain under control.

Symptoms of underactive thyroid or Hypothyroidism

People with hypothyroidism, where the thyroid does not produce enough hormones, may experience signs and symptoms that include:

• Persistent fatigue and lack of energy
• Slow heart rate
• Cold intolerance
• Depression
• Painful joints and muscles
• Dry skin and brittle nails
• Hair loss
• Unexplained weight gain
• Irregular menstrual periods
• Fertility problems
• Memory challenges

It’s important to talk to your healthcare provider if you’re experiencing these symptoms. Hypothyroidism is treatable, but needs to be identified as soon as possible.

Purpose Of Underactive TSH Test

The TSH test measures Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), which prompts the thyroid to produce other hormones. This is a quick and easy test that detects potential abnormalities in your TSH levels, helping you understand if your thyroid is imbalanced.

TSH is often the first test doctors order when they suspect you have a thyroid disorder. It is important to have your TSH checked if you have symptoms of these thyroid disorders. The test may also be requested to monitor the effectiveness of treatment when a patient is being treated for a known thyroid disorder.

Understanding your thyroid health is essential, and our Thyroid TSH Test which can be easily performed at home offers a convenient and reliable starting point for this exploration.

How To Read The Test Results?

This test can be used to screen for thyroid hormone levels using a simple blood sample. A TSH value above the normal range may indicate the thyroid is underactive. In rare cases, a high TSH result might be impacted by a pituitary gland issue, such as a tumor, which causes excessive production of TSH. A high TSH value can also occur in people with an underactive thyroid glands who have been receiving too little thyroid hormone medication.

A high TSH result might mean that you:

• Have hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid gland)
• Have a problem with your pituitary gland
• Are receiving too little thyroid hormone medicine

As well, pregnancy and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis might also cause an abnormally high TSH reading.

Usage Instructions

The procedure is quick, simple, and generally painless. Please follow the below steps to collect the blood sample:

• Wash your hands with soap and warm water or clean with an alcohol swab. Allow to dry.
• Massage the hand without touching the puncture site by rubbing down the hand towards the fingertip of the middle or ring finger.
• Puncture the skin with a sterile lancet. Wipe away the first sign of blood.
• Gently rub the hand from wrist to palm to finger to form a rounded drop of blood over the puncture site.
• Add the Fingerstick Whole Blood specimen to the test by using a capillary dropper.
• Touch the end of the capillary dropper to the blood, do not squeeze the bulb of the dropper, the blood migrates into the dropper through the capillarity to the line indicated on the dropper. Avoid air bubbles.
• Squeeze the bulb to dispense the whole blood to the specimen area of the test cassette.

Testing should be performed immediately after the fingerstick whole blood specimen has been collected.

Storage Conditions

• Store as packaged at room temperature or refrigerated (2-30°C).
• The test is stable through the expiration date printed on the sealed pouch or label of box.
• The test must remain in the sealed pouch until use.

What's Included In The Kit?

Each test includes:

• Test Cassette
• Capillary Dropper
• Lancet
• Plaster
• Buffer
• Alcohol pad
• Instructions for use

Expiration Date: 08/2026