THYROID · 4 MIN READ
Tired all the time? When to get your thyroid tested
Thyroid problems are common, especially in women — and easy to treat once they are found.
What the thyroid does
The thyroid is a small gland in the front of your neck that sets the pace of your metabolism. When it makes too little hormone (hypothyroidism), everything slows down; when it makes too much (hyperthyroidism), everything speeds up.
Symptoms worth checking
An underactive thyroid can cause tiredness, weight gain, feeling cold, dry skin, hair fall, constipation, low mood and heavy or irregular periods.
An overactive thyroid can cause weight loss despite a good appetite, a racing heart, tremor, sweating, anxiety, poor sleep and loose motions.
These symptoms have many other causes too — which is exactly why a simple blood test is so useful.
Which tests do you need?
For most people, a single TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) test is the right first step. A normal TSH usually rules out a thyroid problem. If TSH is abnormal, your doctor may add free T4, free T3 or thyroid antibody tests.
Large "thyroid profiles" are rarely needed as a first test. If you take biotin supplements (common in hair and nail products), stop them two days before testing, as biotin can distort the results.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
When to get tested
- You have several of the symptoms above Especially tiredness together with a change in weight.
- You are planning a pregnancy, or are pregnant Thyroid levels matter for the baby's development.
- Thyroid disease runs in your family Or you have another autoimmune condition, such as type 1 diabetes.
- You already take thyroid medicine Recheck TSH every 6–12 months once your dose is stable.