Thyroid
gland is important in the regulation of body energy and metabolism.
The thyroid gland may be overactive (hyperthyroidism) or under active
(hypothyroidism) Proper
metabolism helps maintain energy (minimizing fatigue), strength, ideal weight
and temperature and influences mood.
Metabolism
alterations often occur slowly over months or years and are therefore overlooked.
Often people often don’t think of their symptoms as unusual or mistake
them as a sign of advancing age.
WHO
SHOULD HAVE THEIR METABOLISM / THYROID LEVELS TESTED?
(1) Anyone
with a family history of thyroid disorders; Grave’s disease or Hashimoto’s
Thyroiditis
(2) Anyone
with a past thyroid inflammation or tumor.
Metabolism disorders are found
in both men and women though, women are more likely to be affected.
Symptoms
include:
· Fatigue or
muscle weakness
· Depression
or irritability
· Mental
lethargy
· Sensitivity
to cold or unusual perspiration
· Unexplained
weight gain or loss
· Abnormal
heart rate
·
Dry hair or hair loss
· Constipation
or diarrhea
·
Swelling of feet, hands or breasts
BLOOD
TEST FOR THYROID / METABOLISM LEVELS HOW
OFTEN?
When symptoms appear and
annually if symptoms persist
BLOOD
TESTING
FOR
THYROID
/ METABOLISM LEVELS
INCLUDES:
Measuring
the level of hormone secreted by the pituitary to stimulate the thyroid gland (TSH) , and measure of free thyroxin
(thyroid hormone) and protein bound thyroxin in the blood.
BLOOD
TESTING FOR
THYROID
/ METABOLISM LEVELS WILL
TELL YOU:
This test
will measure the current functioning of both the pituitary gland and the thyroid
gland and will identify whether the
thyroid gland is producing too much or too little hormone.
An under-active thyroid creates a slow metabolism creating weight
gain or fatigue and depression. An overactive
thyroid speeds metabolism creating weight loss or muscle fatigue.
Thyroid
disorders adversely affect cholesterol and can increase the hearts workload
leading to heart disease.
Blood tests that indicate abnormalities in your blood
system- i.e., you are "out of normal range" - can
alert you to take action. That action might be a visit to a
physician or simply a different diet and exercise. In any case,
"knowing" if something is wrong with you - and what is wrong -
are the first steps to correction of a poor health condition.
A blood test can "keep you in the know" about your personal
health!
Blood
System Information that is easy for you to understand! Health-Tests
DIRECT™
has a wealth of information about the body's blood system...and the
many different types of blood tests we have available for you and your
family. It's written in "plain English" and in easy-to-understand layperson's terms.
It's available for you
"free" right here "on-line"...and it's also free for
you to review at our retail store in Costa Mesa, California. Come
visit us any day Monday through Friday 8AM to 5 PM!