Zrt Thyroid Blood Spot Tests

Tvc Offers The Option To Have Your Thyroid Hormone Levels Tested In The Comfort Of Your Own Home

For the convenience of our patients, TVC offers the option to have your thyroid hormone levels tested in the comfort of your own home via dried blood spot through our partnership with ZRT Laboratory. These kits allow patients to collect their sample in the comfort of their own home at a time that suits them.

Dried blood spot is a form of collection where patients place blood drops on a filter card after a finger prick with a lancet. Once dry, blood spot cards are extremely stable for shipment and storage, and the dried blood format offers excellent correlation with serum tests.

Blood spot is a convenient alternative for measuring thyroid hormone levels, and in fact offers distinct advantages over serum testing because it eliminates the need for a blood draw saving patients time and money. No more needles and syringes and no need for an office visit!

Our friends at ZRT Laboratory, who developed the science for accurately measuring thyroid hormones via dried blood spot, worked with TVC to develop custom kits for our patients.

TVC home test kits offer testing for Thyroid Stimulating Hormone , Thyroxine , Triiodothyronine , and Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies .

Your TVC clinician will recommend for you one of the following six kits :

• Kit #1 TSH $65.00
• Kit #2 TSH + free T4 $95.00
• Kit #3 TSH + free T4 + TPO Ab $125.00
• Kit #4 TSH + TPO Ab $95.00
• Kit #5 TSH + free T4 + free T3 $125.00
• Kit #6 TSH + free T4 + free T3 + TPO Ab $155.00

Capillary Blood Spot Testing

Capillary Blood Spot Testing offers easy alternative to venous blood draws in the laboratory or doctors office.

Blood Spot testing is the future of hormone testing. The process requires only whole capillary blood from a nearly painless finger prick and several tests can be run from a single sample. Blood spot testing provides results on a par with those from serum tests but without the cost and inconvenience of conventional blood drawing. In addition, collection times can be optimized for fasting baseline hormone levels and assessment of HRT dosing and diurnal hormone testing.

Tests offered in the Blood Spot Profiles include:

• Thyroxine , free

Test Kits Available For Serum Testing:

ZRT test kits are convenient for patients that are already supplementing with hormone therapy or taking medications. The profiles have ranges adjusted for age, menstrual status, and supplementation types.

Information presented on this page can be found in more detail on ZRTs website:

Saliva, dried blood spot, and dried urine test kits are all available for purchase at Coast to Coast Compounding. Call us to speak with a pharmacist about which test kit is best for you.

Recommended Reading: What Is The Thyroid Test Called

Zrt Free T4 Blood Spot Test

Free T4 affects tissue function in the body, while bound T4 does not. This test is often used in congunction with TSH testing to measure the extent of hyper- or hypothyroidism.

Thyroxine is the main hormone produced by the thyroid. Total T4 measures the overall level of T4 output by the thyroid gland.

Most of the thyroxine in the blood is attached to a protein called thyroxine-binding globulin. Less than 1% of the T4 is unattached. A measures both bound and free thyroxine. Free thyroxine affects tissue function in the body, but bound thyroxine does not.

A total T4 or free T4 test is primarily ordered in response to an abnormal TSH test result. Sometimes the T4 will be ordered along with a TSH to give the doctor a more complete evaluation of the adequacy of the thyroid hormone feedback system.

Levels of free T4 in hypothyroidism may remain within normal range for a period of time while total T4 levels are low in the body’s attempt to maintain homeostasis. So, a hypothyroid diagnosis could be delayed if only free T4 is being looked at. These tests are usually ordered when a person has symptoms of hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.

Thyroxine is the predominant hormone produced by the thyroid gland. It is an inactive prohormone, which converts to triiodothyronine within cells.

Free T4Free T4total T4free T4

The lab will email you within 3-5 business days after they receive the samples for on-line access to your results.

Zrt Tsh Blood Spot Test

TSH helps regulate the thyroid gland. It is produced by the pituitary gland in response to thyroid hormone levels in the bloodstream. A high level of TSH means not enough thyroid hormone production, and low TSH indicates too much thyroid activity.

Why Test Total TSH?

The TSH test measures the levels of TSH, a hormone that is made and released by your pituitary gland. Your pituitary can sense whether there is enough thyroid hormone in the bloodstream, and it releases TSH when it detects insufficient thyroid hormone.

The TSH is essentially telling your thyroid to “release more hormone.” This is why your TSH rises when your thyroid is underactive. A high TSH means that the pituitary gland is releasing its hormone to try to get the thyroid to respond and produce more thyroid hormone. Conversely, when the pituitary senses that there is too much thyroid hormone circulating, then it slows down or even stops releasing TSH. The lowering of TSH means that the thyroid is no longer getting the message to release hormone, and thyroid hormone production will slow down.

Find out what you need to know and start your path towards recovery today!

The lab will email you within 3-5 business days after they receive the samples for on-line access to your results.

Once you have your results, read our article and consider consulting with a practitioner for next steps.

Recommended Reading: Can Thyroid Problems Cause Blurred Vision

You’ve Got Options: Thyroid Self

First, let’s clarify the two ways you can order your own thyroid tests. The first is called “direct-to-consumer” or DTC testing. With this type of testing, you set up an online account with a DTC service provider. You can then select and pay for the laboratory tests you want. You print a lab slip and take it to a local laboratory collection facility for blood collection. Test results are then delivered to you electronically via a secure portal.

“Home” thyroid tests are typically fingerstick bloodspot tests. After ordering and paying for a test, the collection kit is mailed to you. After you prick your finger with a lancet, you apply the blood to a special filter card, and send the collection kit back to the lab. Again, test results are then delivered to you electronically via a secure portal.

Both types of testing offer you access to popular thyroid blood tests including thyroid stimulating hormone , free thyroxine ,, and .

Blood Spot Hormone Testing From Zrt Labs

When your doctor says you need a blood test, wouldnt you rather do just about anything than go down to a lab, sit in a waiting room with a lot of people who dont feel well, and then have a technician stick a big needle in your arm and pull out a couple of vials of blood?

Now theres an easier way!

You can do a wide range of highly accurate blood tests in the privacy of your own home with a simple, virtually painless stick and a few drops of blood. It takes minutes. When youre finished, simply put it into a prepaid container and drop it the mail. Thats it! The results will be mailed or faxed to you or your doctor.

Below youll find a list of available blood spot tests. Add them to your cart, pay online in minutes, and theyll be sent to you within one business day.

NOTE: New York State Residents New York State health law prohibits the testing of specimens collected in or mailed from New York, and prohibits the transmission of data from our laboratory to NY physicians or residents. Therefore, direct receipt of lab results for NY residents is not possible.

Don’t Miss: Cvs Minute Clinic Thyroid Test

The Pros Of Being Proactive

Because of the nature of today’s healthcare, many patients have been forced to become proactive medical consumers. You may be unable to get certain tests when you ask for them. Your HMO or health insurer may deny coverage for certain tests. Or you may come up against an overreliance on the thyroid stimulating hormone test. Some doctors use only this test to diagnose or manage thyroid disease. They won’t test for autoimmune thyroid antibodies, actual thyroid hormone levels such as Free T4 and Free T3, or complicating factors such as elevated reverse T3. Getting tested yourself can be a starting point for a discussion, and it’s pretty easy to do:

• To order DTC or bloodspot tests, you don’t need to first visit your doctor, or have your doctor order the tests.

• Younot your doctorget to decide which tests you will get.

• The results are private and are delivered only to you. They do not go to your doctor, health maintenance organization , or health insurer.

• Your results often include added, easy-to-understand descriptions of the findings and implications, as well as recommended other resources for reading.

For home bloodspot testing:

• You don’t need to leave home.

• You dont need a blood draw .

• The cost is often less than DTC or conventional lab testing.

Elite Thyroid Blood Spot Profile

The Elite Thyroid Blood Spot Profile gives a complete assessment of thyroid health including checking for hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, monitor dosages for thyroid replacement, thyroglobulin to address low iodine status, test for autoimmune thyroid disease, and quantify the total T4 produced by the thyroid.

Methodology:

Preparation:

No fasting required. Specimen must be sent to lab by overnight mail Monday-Thursday only. Please read patient instructions very carefully and decide the ideal day for you to begin test.

Test Results:

5-7 Days once the lab receives the specimen. May take longer based on weather, holiday or lab delays.

Also Check: Thyroid Medication Names For Hyperthyroidism

Hormone Balance: The Key To Health

Most hormones are produced by a group of glands known collectively as the endocrine system. Even though these glands are located in various parts of the body, they are considered one system because of their similar functions and relationship to each other.

Hormones are secreted into the bloodstream by these glands. From there, they travel to all parts of the body playing the role of chemical messengers turning specific target tissues on or off. Because they cant be stored in the cells, hormones do their work as they pass through and then theyre gone. As a result, hormones must be made and released at the precise time theyre needed. To keep things functioning at their best, the body must constantly fine-tune hormone release to keep levels within proper limits.

Because of the complexity of these interactions, a hormonal imbalance rarely stems from only one type of hormone. More often, the problem involves a series of hormones that are out of balance. In addition, a disruption in the balance of hormones produced by one gland or set of glands can cause other glands or systems to dysfunction. Before you know it, youre feeling miserable on multiple fronts.

Saliva And Blood Spot Testing

Integrative Therapies Wellness Center offers state-of-the-art saliva testing and blood spot testing through ZRT Laboratory, the nations leading independently owned and operated certified hormone-testing facility.

Founded in 1998 by biochemist and breast cancer researcher, David T. Zava Ph.D., ZRT Laboratory uses cutting edge technology to deliver convenient, minimally invasive saliva testing and blood spot testing services. Additionally, ZRT Laboratorys comprehensive test report provides information to help monitor hormone usage and restore hormonal balance.

Saliva Testing is a high-tech testing method made simple a convenient, inexpensive, and above all, accurate means of testing the activity of estrogens, progesterone, testosterone and DHEA hormones. It is the recognized gold standard for measuring stress hormones and adrenal fatigue for those who need to test their levels throughout the day and at bedtime. Saliva testing is totally non-invasive you simply fill the tubes with saliva and submit the package contents to ZRT.

Whether using saliva testing, blood testing or a combination of both, the accuracy and dependability of ZRT Laboratory offers physicians key information needed to track the progress of prescribed treatment and to adjust dosages accordingly.

Recommended Reading: Size Of Thyroid Nodule For Biopsy

Zrt Blood Spot Hormone Test Kit

Blood spot is ideal for measuring hormones and other analytes such as insulin, blood lipids, Vitamin D, thyroid hormones, and elements like lead and magnesium. It offers distinct advantages over serum because it eliminates the need for a blood draw saving patients time and money.

Dried blood spot testing helps get to the root of symptoms you may be experiencing related to:

• Menopause, Andropause, Menstrual irregularities, heavy periods, PMS, Vitamin D deficiency, Under- or overactive thyroid, Exposure to heavy metals, Deficiencies in nutritional elements, Metabolic syndrome/central weight gain.

This kit is also an effective way to monitor all types of hormone replacement.

Options:

Essential Thyroid Blood Spot Profile

The Essential Thyroid Blood Spot Profile can screen for hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, monitor dosages for thyroid replacement, and test for autoimmune thyroid disease.

Methodology:

Preparation:

No fasting required. Specimen must be sent to lab by overnight mail Monday-Thursday only. Please read patient instructions very carefully and decide the ideal day for you to begin test.

Test Results:

5-7 Days once the lab receives the specimen. May take longer based on weather, holiday or lab delays.

Don’t Miss: Does Thyroid Cancer Require Chemotherapy

What You Need To Watch Out For

Costs: Health insurance rarely covers the cost of home bloodspot testing, and only some insurers reimburse all or part of DTC testing. In most cases, the costs can, however, be paid from flexible spending and health savings accounts

Overlooking or misinterpreting errors in your test results: A 2017 article in the Annals of Clinical and Laboratory Research explained that even under the best of circumstances, test results can have errors. Physicians may be able to detect those mistakes and make the necessary adjustments in diagnosis. Consumers, on the other hand, may not have that same level of knowledge and could make decisions based on incorrect information. Health conditions can worsenor be overlookedas a result.

Poor healthcare decisions: Some patients may decide on their own to increase or decrease the dosage of prescribed medications, or stop treatments all together, based on test results. Experts caution against making these types of healthcare decisions without first consulting your healthcare provider and having confirmatory testing.”The tests are reliable and use the exact same testing labs that I use, so I have no problem using the test results,” says integrative physician David Borenstein, M.D., founder of Manhattan Integrative Medicine in New York City. “However, I’ve had patients order thousands of dollars of tests that turned out to be unrelated and completely unnecessary.”

Homeopathic Remedies Kits Protocols Products And Nutritional Supplements For Families & Practitioners

HOMEOPATHY: Homeopathic Remedies and Remedy Kits, Banerji & Homeopathic Protocols, Boiron Remedies & Combinations, Cell Salts, Color Remedies, DesBio, Detoxosode, Energique, Fibonacci Potencies, Flower Essences, Gels & Creams, Gemmotherapy, Herbal Tinctures, Hyland’s, Meditative Proving Remedies, Megapotencies , Narayani, Oligotherapy, Source Resonance Audio Files and Very High Potency Remedies .NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS AND LAB TESTING INCLUDING: Cell Logic, Genestra, Herb Pharm, Klaire Labs, NANO SOMA®, Nordic Naturals, PectaSol-C®, Pharmax, Professional Formulas, Pure Encapsulations, RNA ReSet, Seroyal, Thorne, Trace Nutrients, UNDA & ZRT LABS for Hormone and Neurotransmitter home testing.HomeLab Testing

Also Check: Can Breast Cancer Metastasis To Thyroid

What If This All Sounds Great But Youre Worried Youre Not Going To Bleed Enough With The Finger Prick Test

If you struggle even when a phlebotomist or nurse tries to draw your blood, then the finger prick test might not be ideal, but by all means you can still give it a go as it can work better for many people. Nurses often struggle to get blood out of my arm, but this was super easy and I had no issues completing it at all.

The instructions included are easy to follow and having the bonus of being able to do it in the comfort of your own home is very useful indeed.

My top pick of other ZRT Lab tests which will be of interest to many people with thyroid conditions:

Comprehensive Thyroid Profile .

You’ve Got The Results Now What

If your M.D. is reluctant to accept your DTC lab test results, ask for an explanation of his or her concerns. Brady Hurst, clinical director of the direct-to-consumer laboratory TrueHealthLabs.com also recommends that you show the doctor that your results are coming from labs they already use such as LabCorp and Quest Diagnostics. According to Hurst: Doctors may need to have it pointed out that the results would be no different if they ordered the test vs. you ordering the test.

If the push back centers on function test results, show them that the lab is CLIA-certified and bring in any research that is available on the tests. Most labs have these documents to share, he says.

Ultimately, though, if your doctor is completely opposed to self-testing, or refuses to consider valid test results, it’s time to find a new provider.

Read Also: Armor Thyroid And Weight Loss

How Self

DTC lab testing is almost identical to conventional lab testing. Direct-to-consumer testing services use the same laboratories most doctors uselike LabCorp and Questand the test process and results are identical to those ordered by your doctor. There are two differences, however. First, instead of your doctor ordering the tests, you choose them yourself. Second, the results go directly to you, not your doctor.

Home bloodspot testing is somewhat different. There is no blood draw. Instead, the fingerprick blood is processed, and results are sent electronically or by mail.

When done by a reputable provider, bloodspot testing results are considered highly accurate, and the results correlate well with traditional laboratory blood tests.