The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly shaped gland located just beneath the front of the throat skin. It is an important part of the endocrine system and regulates the metabolism in the body and controls important bodily functions by secreting hormones.

The primary function of your thyroid gland is to produce and secrete hormones that help stabilise the body’s metabolism. Often, your thyroid might not produce enough hormone causing hypothyroidism or too much hormone leading to hyperthyroidism. In either case, it may lead to many bothersome symptoms like unintentional weight gain or weight loss, fatigue, irritability, anxiety, joint pain etc.

If you observe symptoms of thyroid disease, you must reach out to your healthcare provider, who will prescribe relevant health tests to ascertain the same.

What tests are available in Apollo’s thyroid test package?

Apollo 24|7 offers a great deal of comprehensive packages:

• Apollo Thyroid Assessment - Basic: This basic package is especially curated by Dr. Sudeep, and consists of tests like TSH, T3, T4, and CBC, which are essential to identify the levels of thyroid hormones in the body. 
• Apollo Thyroid Assessment - Essential: Along with tests like TSH, T3, T4, this package also includes  vitamin D, thyroid peroxidase, thyroglobulin antibody, and CBC, etc. 
• Apollo Thyroid Assessment - Advance: This test is recommended for people suffering from or with a family history of hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, and includes tests such as total T3, T4 and TSH, free T3 and T4, CBC, Anti-Thyroglobulin antibody, and vitamin D.

Apart from the above packages, other independent tests are also available, such as:

• Thyroid Profile (Total T3, Total T4, TSH)
• Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Serum
• Thyroid Profile - Free (FT3, FT4, TSH)
• Parathyroid Hormone [PTH]
• Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (Anti Microsomal Antibodies)
• Ultrasensitive TSH
• Anti Thyroglobulin Antibody
• Free T3 (FT3)

Why is getting the thyroid test package essential?

Getting these tests done is essential because:

• It helps diagnose cases of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism
• It aids in the evaluation of the proper functioning of the thyroid gland
• It detects if there is any other autoimmune disorder attacking the thyroid gland
• It ensures that any ongoing treatment plan for thyroid disease is effective

If left untreated, hyperthyroidism can lead to:

• Graves’ dermopathy or red and swollen skin
• Thyrotoxic crisis wherein you get a high fever, rapid pulse and feel delirious
• Eye issues like double vision, light sensitivity, swollen, bulging, red eyes, etc.
• Heart complications like rapid heart rate, atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure, etc.
• Osteoporosis

On the other hand, untreated hypothyroidism can cause several health complications too, like:
Fertility issues

• Myxedema coma, wherein a person experiences confusion and fatigue before complete unconsciousness
• Peripheral neuropathy which leads to numbing in limbs, loss of control, weakness in muscles, etc.
• Cardiovascular troubles like congestive heart failure, coronary artery problems, hypertension, etc.
• Goitre or enlarged thyroid causing the neck to swell

You can now book a complete thyroid test package or any tests within the package as a standalone via Apollo 24|7.

The test will be done from the comfort of your house, at the chosen time slot of your convenience. You will also receive the test results online – no hassle whatsoever!