Genova Diagnostics:Thyroid Plus
Thyroid Plus is a hormone profile that provides a thorough analysis of thyroid hormone metabolism. It includes central thyroid gland regulation and activity, thyroid production and secretion, peripheral thyroid conversion, and thyroid autoimmunity. This hormone profile allows the practitioner to pinpoint common imbalances that underlie a broad spectrum of chronic illness. This profile analyses serum levels of TSH, free T4, free T3, reverse T3, anti-TG antibodies, and anti-TPO antibodies to assess central and peripheral thyroid function, as well as thyroid auto-immunity.
Thyroid hormones are essential and primary regulators of the body's metabolism. Hormone imbalances can affect virtually every metabolic process in the body, exerting significant effects on mood and energy level.
Thyroid hormone function has a profound impact on overall health via:
- Modulation of carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism
- Vitamin utilisation
- Mitochondrial function
- Digestive process
- Muscle and nerve activity
- Blood flow
- Oxygen utilisation
- Hormone secretion
- Sexual and reproductive health
- Many other physiological parameters
Thyroid Hormone Testing
Thyroid Plus is a hormonal profile which reveals imbalances that often go undetected with more limited assessments. This thyroid hormone testing measures:
- Unbound levels of T4 and T3 which reflect the bioactive portion of thyroid hormone. This hormone assessment can identify not only overt hyper-and hypothyroidism, but subtle sub-clinical manifestations of thyroid dysfunction.
- Reverse T3, levels of which can increase when peripheral conversion to T4 to active T3 is impaired. Peripheral thyroid imbalances may arise from nutrient shortages, heavy metal exposure, adrenal stress, enzyme deficiencies, and other chronic illness.
- Thyroid antibody levels, which help gauge autoimmune response and may reflect metabolic irregularities and hypothyroidism even when TSH and T4 levels appear normal. Thyroid antibody levels may rise in response to trauma, dysbiosis, inflammation (including thyroiditis) or progressive thyroid degeneration.
