Basic Thyroid Profile

B-220 | Blood Spot Thyroids (6 tests) | Blood Spot: TSH, FT3, FT4, TPOab, Tgbn, TT4 

Most clinics start thyroid screening with TSH and only add other tests if TSH is abnormal. That is a common first step, but it does not always capture the full picture when you have symptoms or higher risk.

Select the B-220 Blood Spot Thyroids panel block when you want a broader thyroid snapshot, especially if any of these apply:

• You have ongoing symptoms that could fit thyroid imbalance and you want clearer data to discuss with a clinician
• You have a family history of thyroid disease or autoimmune thyroid disease
• You are a woman over 60 (subclinical hypothyroidism is more common with age)
• You have a recent, noticeable change in weight, energy, mood, temperature tolerance, hair/skin, or menstrual pattern
• You are monitoring known thyroid issues or adjusting thyroid-related treatment with your clinician

Blood Spot Thyroids measures six key thyroid-related markers from a convenient blood-spot sample, giving you a broader snapshot of thyroid signaling, thyroid hormone levels, and autoimmune activity than TSH alone.

What is measured

• TSH: The brain-to-thyroid “signal” that tells the thyroid how hard to work.
• Free T4 (FT4): The main circulating thyroid hormone available to your tissues; essential for understanding thyroid output and for identifying patterns where TSH may not reflect thyroid hormone levels (such as central hypothyroidism).
• Free T3 (FT3): The more active thyroid hormone; can add context when evaluating thyroid hormone activity patterns (often used in suspected overactive thyroid states).
• Total T4 (TT4): The total amount of T4 (bound + unbound), which can help provide additional context when binding proteins or other factors may affect results.
• Thyroglobulin (Tgbn): A protein made by the thyroid; levels can add context in certain thyroid conditions and should be interpreted alongside the rest of the panel block.
• TPO antibodies (TPOab): An immune marker that can suggest autoimmune thyroid disease (commonly Hashimoto’s).

Testing methods
All markers are measured using immunoassay technology: ECLIA for TSH, FT3, FT4, TT4, and thyroglobulin; EIA for TPO antibodies.

Why this matters
Thyroid hormones help regulate how your body uses energy and can affect mood, temperature control, metabolism, and many other systems. Thyroid disease is common, and many people do not realize they have it.
Subclinical thyroid problems also become more common with age; in women over 60, subclinical hypothyroidism has been reported in up to about 20%.

Possible signs of thyroid imbalance
(These symptoms are not specific to thyroid disease and can overlap with many other conditions.)

Tiredness or low energy
Weight gain or weight loss that is hard to explain
Feeling cold often or feeling unusually hot
Low mood or anxiety
Trouble sleeping
Hair thinning or hair loss
Dry skin
Constipation or more frequent bowel movements
Menstrual cycle changes
Muscle aches, weakness, or joint pain
Fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat (seek urgent care if severe)

Important notes

Blood Spot Thyroids does not diagnose a medical condition by itself. It provides lab data to review with a licensed clinician.
Medications (including thyroid hormone), supplements (especially biotin), pregnancy, and acute illness can affect results; share your full medication and supplement list on the requisition form you receive with your order.

Informal note: according to the American Thyroid Association, up to 60% of people with thyroid disease may be unaware of it.