Thyroid Function Testing
The thyroid gland manufactures hormones that regulate the body’s metabolism.
Several different disorders can arise when the thyroid produces too much hormone (hyperthyroidism) or not enough (hypothyroidism).
Four common disorders of the thyroid are Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Graves’ disease, goiter, and thyroid nodules.
Applications
Thyroid Testing Assays
Alpha Laboratories offers a range of ELISA kits for thyroxine T4 and T3, to monitor thyroid function testing.
Hyperthyroidism
In hyperthyroidism, the thyroid gland is overactive producing too much of its hormone. It affects about 1 percent of women but is common in men.
The pituitary gland releases thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) to stimulate the thyroid to produce its hormones. Measuring levels of thyroid hormone (thyroxine, or T4) and TSH in the blood is used to check thyroid activity. High thyroxine and low TSH levels indicate that the thyroid gland is overactive.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is the opposite of hyperthyroidism. The thyroid gland is underactive, and it can’t produce enough of its hormones. Hypothyroidism is often caused by Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, surgery to remove the thyroid gland, or damage from radiation treatment.
Blood tests to measure TSH and thyroid hormone levels are used. A high TSH level and low thyroxine level could mean that the thyroid is underactive. These levels could also indicate that the pituitary gland is releasing more TSH to try to stimulate the thyroid gland to make its hormone.