Blood Spot Thyroids
Performed by: ZRT Laboratory
The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located just below the Adam's apple, playing a crucial role in regulating metabolism, energy, and overall hormonal balance. However, various factors, such as hormone imbalances, mineral deficiencies, and environmental pollutants, can disrupt thyroid function, leading to significant health issues.
Thyroid Dysfunction is Often Under-Diagnosed
According to the American Thyroid Association, up to 60% of people with thyroid disorders may be unaware of their condition. Thyroid problems disproportionately affect women, who are seven times more likely than men to experience thyroid dysfunction, with up to a one-in-five chance of developing issues, especially during perimenopause when hormone levels fluctuate.
Thyroid dysfunction can manifest through a wide range of symptoms. Do any of these sound familiar?
Signs of Hypothyroidism:
- Unexplained weight gain or difficulty losing weight despite a healthy diet and exercise
- Feeling cold when others don’t
- Persistent fatigue, particularly in the evening
- Brain fog or memory lapses
- Dry, itchy skin and thinning hair
- Brittle nails
- Hair loss
- Irregular bowel movements
- Menstrual irregularities
Signs of Hyperthyroidism:
- Sudden or unexplained weight loss
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Excessive sweating
- Nervousness or irritability
What Does the Blood Spot Thyroid Testing Panel Measure?
This comprehensive panel assesses levels of key thyroid hormones to determine if there’s an imbalance:
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TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone): Produced by the pituitary gland, TSH stimulates the thyroid to produce thyroxine (T4).
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Free T4 (Thyroxine): The main hormone produced by the thyroid, T4 is converted to its active form, T3, in the body’s cells.
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Total T4: This includes both free T4 and protein-bound T4, offering insight into the thyroid's ability to produce and release T4 into the bloodstream.
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Free T3 (Triiodothyronine): T3 is the active hormone responsible for regulating the metabolic activity of cells.
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TPOab (Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies): These antibodies, produced in autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto’s, target the thyroid gland. Measuring TPOab levels helps diagnose autoimmune thyroid diseases.
By using a blood spot sample, this testing panel provides a convenient way to evaluate thyroid function, helping identify imbalances that could be affecting your overall health and well-being.
Thyroid health can be compromised by nutritional deficiencies, particularly in iodine and selenium, as well as by overexposure to harmful elements like bromine, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury. These substances are prevalent in our environment, found in the food we eat, the water we drink, the materials we come into contact with, and the air we breathe.
Elements That Affect Thyroid Function:
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Iodine: Iodine is crucial for the production of key thyroid hormones, T4 and T3. A deficiency in iodine can hinder hormone production, leading to hypothyroidism, goiter, and cognitive decline. Iodine deficiency has also been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. Common sources of iodine include dairy products, seafood, iodized salt, and grains.
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Bromine: This element is often found in flame retardants, fumigants, medications, and pool/spa sanitizers. High environmental exposure to bromine can lead to excessive accumulation in the body, disrupting thyroid function.
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Selenium: Selenium is essential for thyroid hormone production, neutralizing free radicals, DNA synthesis, and cancer prevention. While too much selenium can be toxic, insufficient selenium levels impair the conversion of T4 to T3, affecting thyroid health. Common dietary sources of selenium include Brazil nuts, seafood, eggs, and grains.
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Arsenic: An environmental heavy metal, arsenic has multiple toxic effects on the body and can interfere with selenium function, leading to deficiency. It is found in shellfish, seaweed, rice, fruit, and well water.
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Mercury: Mercury is a highly toxic heavy metal that can damage the brain and nervous system. It impacts thyroid function by inhibiting selenium and mimicking the effects of arsenic exposure. High mercury levels can accumulate from sources like dental amalgams, seafood, and certain vaccinations.
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Cadmium: Chronic exposure to cadmium can cause the accumulation of this metal in the thyroid gland, resulting in tissue damage. Smoking is a major source of cadmium exposure, with smokers having about twice the levels of non-smokers.
Maintaining optimal levels of these elements, while avoiding excessive exposure to toxins, is crucial for supporting healthy thyroid function.
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