• Your Thyroid Gland
• Symptoms of an Overactive Thyroid
• Symptoms of an Underactive Thyroid
• What is TSH?
• Are there Known Risk Factors?
• Are there Health Changes to be aware of?
• The Testing Procedure

Your thyroid gland is a butterfly shaped gland, located at the front part of your throat just below your Adam's apple. It produces hormones that affect and regulate virtually every bodily activity. Thyroid hormones control metabolism and organ function, directly affecting weight loss or gain, energy levels, skin condition, memory, heart rate, cholesterol levels, menstrual regularity, memory as well as many other functions. If your thyroid gland is not working properly, a variety of possibly severe medical problems can result.

The good news is, if discovered and properly treated, a thyroid disorder can be controlled and the patient can lead a normal and active life.

When your thyroid gland produces more thyroid hormone than your body needs, a condition called hyperthyroidism occurs. This is commonly known as an overactive thyroid.

Some common symptoms of hyperthyroidism are:

• Weight loss
• Fatigue
• Heat intolerance
• Nervousness
• Insomnia
• Tremor
• Muscle weakness
• Heart palpitations
• Frequent bowel movements
• Menstrual irregularities (especially light menstrual periods)

When your thyroid gland produces less thyroid hormone than your body needs, a condition called hyporthyroidism occurs. This is commonly referred to as an underactive thyroid and is the most common thyroid disorder.

Some common symptoms of hypothyroidism are:

• Weight gain
• Depression
• Fatigue
• Cold intolerance
• Dry skin
• Hair dryness or hair loss
• Forgetfulness
• Muscle cramps
• Edema
• Constipation
• Menstrual irregularities (especially heavy menstrual periods)

TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) is a chemical substance produced by the pituitary gland that stimulates the thyroid gland to synthesize and release its own hormones into the bloodstream. When too much thyroid hormone is produced, a condition called hyperthyroidism will result, often referred to as an overactive thyroid. When not enough thyroid hormone is produced, a condition called hypothyroidism will result, often referred to as an underactive thyroid.

Because there are so many different health problems associated with either an underactive or overactive thyroid gland, it is essential that basic thyroid function be tested regularly. The easiest way to do this is by testing for TSH.

While anyone can develop thyroid disease, we know that certain things can put you at greater risk. These are called risk factors and are broken down into two categories; Personal History risk factors and Family History risk factors.

Personal History risk factors deal with your own past or current medical conditions and/or drugs you might be taking. If any of the following apply to you, you are at greater risk of developing thyroid disease. 1)  Have you had or do you now have:

• thyroid dysfunction.
• goiter.
• surgery or radiotherapy affecting the thyroid gland.
• diabetes mellitus.
• vitiligo (non-pigmented skin patches).
• pernicious anemia.
• prematurely gray hair.

2)  Are you taking any medications or other compounds such as:

• lithium carbonate or
• iodine containing compounds such as:
• amiodarone hydrochloride
• radiocontrast agents
• expectorants containing iodide and kelp

3)  There are also risk factors associated with your Family History.  If any member of your immediate family suffers from any of the following conditions, you are also at greater risk of developing thyroid disease:

• thyroid disease
• pernicious anemia
• diabetes mellitus
• primary adrenal insufficiency

There are certain situations and health changes that should immediately prompt you to think about TSH testing:

• When pregnant women go for their 1st prenatal visit
• Following pregnancy if postpartum depression strikes
• If a child's growth pattern or behavior changes
• If mood swings and other symptoms of menopause persist despite hormone replacement therapy
• If fatigue, depression and forgetfulness plague older persons

The BIOSAFE TSH test is a laboratory analysis that measures a chemical substance in the blood called thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). The test provides you with an accurate, convenient, and inexpensive way to discover you own TSH level. The amount of TSH present is directly related to both hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) and hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).

The specimen collection process is quick, easy and virtually painless. Using the special lancet (included in the BIOSAFE Blood Collection Kit), a couple of drops of blood are taken from a nick of a finger and deposited into a special collection device called a BTS (Blood Transport System). The BTS is then sent to BIOSAFE Laboratories for analysis. BIOSAFE tests your blood sample to see how much TSH is present and then mails the results back to you in an easy-to-read, understandable report. Since the BIOSAFE TSH test produces a numerical result rather than a simple "yes" or "no" answer, both testing approval and professional review of test results are required by a licensed physician. BIOSAFE has developed a nationwide network of medical doctors for this purpose.

You may order a BIOSAFE TSH test by clicking on the button below. When your order is approved, your Blood Collection Kit will be sent to you by first class mail.

Note: A TSH test should be considered only one part of your overall health maintenance program.