Common Disorders, At-Home Thyroid Tests and More

Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland that sits at the base of your neck. It’s an important part of your endocrine system, which produces hormones that regulate your metabolism. Your thyroid gland produces two main hormones: thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). These hormones help to control your body’s metabolic rate, which affects everything from your heart rate to your appetite.

Common Thyroid Disorders

Thyroid disorders can cause a variety of symptoms, including weight gain or loss, fatigue, and mood swings. If you think you may have a thyroid disorder, it’s important to seek a diagnosis. Thyroid disorders are typically categorized as either hypo- or hyper- in resulting thyroid hormone production.

Hypothyroidism vs. Hyperthyroidism

The most common thyroid disorder is hypothyroidism, which is characterized by a decrease in thyroid hormone production. This can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, and hair loss. Thyroid disorders can also cause an increase in thyroid hormone production, known as hyperthyroidism. This can cause symptoms such as anxiety, irritability, and tremors.

In some cases, thyroid disorders can also lead to a potentially life-threatening condition called thyroid storm. As a result, it is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of thyroid disorders so that they can be properly diagnosed and treated.

How to Test Your Thyroid

Thyroid issues can be tricky to pin down because symptoms can vary widely from person to person depending on whether you suffer from hypo- or hyper-thyroidism. Unfortunately, many doctors don’t test for thyroid problems unless you specifically request it.

Testing Your Thyroid at Home

For those curious about their thyroid hormone levels, there’s good news! You can now order an At-Home Thyroid Test at Haled.com to check your levels from the comfort of your home. Haled’s at-home thyroid panel tests for four key indicators of thyroid function: Free T4, Total T3, Total T4, TSH. Just order a test kit, register your kit online and schedule an in-home appointment with one of our friendly mobile healthcare professionals to perform your in-home blood draw, the most accurate method of testing for thyroid disorders. 

Following your Haled At-Home Thyroid Appointment, allow 3-4 days to receive results directly to your device. You can then choose to share your results with a trusted physician or schedule an online consultation with a telehealth doctor for an additional fee. 

Pending your results, there are a few possible next steps you can take to address a malfunctioning thyroid.

Improving Thyroid Functioning Naturally

If you’re interested in improving your thyroid functioning naturally before reviewing prescription medications, there are some basic lifestyle changes you can put into practice to encourage a healthy, balanced thyroid: 

1. Make sure you’re getting enough iodine in your diet. Iodine is essential for thyroid function, and you can get it by eating iodine-rich foods like seafood and eggs. 
2. Avoid stress as much as possible. Stress can wreak havoc on your hormones and throw your thyroid out of balance. 
3. Get regular exercise. Exercise helps to boost your metabolism and keep your hormone levels in check. 

By following these three simple tips, you can reduce your risk of developing more severe thyroid complications; however, it is always best to consult with a healthcare professional to find the treatment plan that works best for your individual needs.

Curious about whether or not your thyroid is up to par? Check out Haled’s Thyroid Test to analyze your thyroid hormone levels ASAP, and get private, reliable results delivered to your device in days!