PharmEasy is a leading provider of healthcare services and offers the right tests for your needs. If you are experiencing symptoms related to an imbalance in your thyroid hormone levels, it's a smart decision to consult with your healthcare provider and schedule a TSH test through PharmEasy.

If you have signs of too much or too little thyroid hormone in your blood, you might need a TSH test.

Hyperthyroidism, which is characterized by an excess of thyroid hormone. When you have more thyroid hormones than required, it results in symptoms such as:

• Unintended weight loss, even with increased food intake.
• Fast or irregular heartbeat.
• Feelings of nervousness or irritability.
• Difficulty sleeping and experiencing fatigue.
• Shaking hands and muscle weakness.

Hypothyroidism, often referred to as an underactive thyroid, occurs when there is an insufficient amount of thyroid hormone. This deficiency leads to a decrease in bodily functions, resulting in symptoms such as:

• Fatigue
• Weight gain
• Increased sensitivity to cold
• Joint and muscle pain
• Dry skin

When there isn't enough thyroid hormone in your blood, your pituitary gland produces more TSH to signal your thyroid to work harder. On the other hand, when there's too much thyroid hormone, your pituitary gland makes very little or no TSH. Measuring TSH levels in your blood helps determine if your thyroid is producing the correct amount of hormones.

Hence, it is very important that you understand what your body is trying to tell you. As previously mentioned, if you're showing signs of thyroid issues such as weakness, weight gain or loss, your doctor might request a TSH test, which is readily available on PharmEasy.

You don't need to do anything special to prepare for the TSH test. Just be sure to inform your doctor if you're using any medications that could affect the accuracy of the TSH result.

You might have to refrain from using these medications prior to the test. However, it's crucial not to discontinue any medication unless your doctor specifically instructs you to do so.

During the TSH Test

PharmEasy will send a trained phlebotomist (blood specialist) who will first clean your arm with a special solution to make it germ-free. The phlebotomist will then use a high-tech vein finder machine to assist in finding the veins pain-free. Once they’ve located a vein, they'll collect a bit of blood into a small tube attached to the needle. When they've collected enough blood, they'll use a bandage to prevent bleeding. The entire procedure typically lasts only a few minutes. Afterward, the blood sample will be sent to PharmEasy labs, where advanced technology is used for testing.