Description
The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped organ in the front of your neck. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) activates the thyroid gland to produce the thyroid hormones, thyroxine, and triiodothyronine. These are essential for maintaining your body’s metabolism.
An underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) is a common condition where your thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones in response to TSH, causing TSH levels to rise.
Common symptoms include tiredness, low mood, feeling cold regularly, weight gain, dry skin, brittle hair, and menstrual cycle irregularities in women.
Testing of TSH levels in the blood is the best initial test for hypothyroidism. A TSH level over 5μIU/ml indicates an underactive thyroid, which requires treatment by your healthcare provider.
All orders are sold at the professional discretion of our Well pharmacists, they may contact you if they require any further information before your order is dispatched.
How to use
- Pull off and dispose cap of lancet
- Clean fingertip with alcohol pad
- Press the lancet against the fingertip
- Massage the pricked fingertip to obtain blood drop
- Put capillary dropper in contact with blood and draw the blood to fill line
- Put the collected blood into the sample well
- Add 2 drop of the buffer
- Wait for the coloured line and read results at 10 minutes
Full product preparation and usage is included in product box on IFU (instructions for use)
FAQ
How does the TSH test work?
The Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) activates the thyroid gland. A TSH level over 5uIU/ml in case of a positive result, indicates an under active thyroid (hypothyroidism), which needs more TSH.
When should the test be used?
In cases of hypothyroidism, symptoms such as the following occur:
- Feeling tired, depressed or cold regularly
- Weight gain
- Dry skin
- Brittle hair
- Enduring constipation
- Menstrual cycle irregularities in women.
It is recommended to perform a TSH Rapid Test for screening purpose. The TSH Rapid Test can be used any time of the day. However, it cannot, and should not, be used while undergoing hormonal thyroid medical treatment.
Can the result be incorrect?
The results are accurate when the instructions are followed correctly. Result can be incorrect if the TSH Rapid Test cassette gets wet before using the test or if the quantity of blood dispensed into the sample well is insufficient, or if the number of buffered drops are less than 2 or more than 3. The capillary dropper provided in the box aids in dispensing the correct amount of collected blood. False results are rare, but possible, due to immunological principles therefore a follow up consultation with your doctor is always recommended.
How to interpret the test if the colour and the intensity of the lines are different?
The test should be considered positive if both lines appear and are clear and visible. The colour and intensity of the lines are not indicators of result interpretation.
If I read the result after 20 minutes, will the result be reliable?
No. The result should be read at 10 minutes after adding the buffer. The result is unreliable after 20 minutes.
What do I have to do if the result is positive?
If the result is positive, the TSH level in the blood is higher than the normal (5 IU/ml).
You should consult a doctor and show the test result to receive professional next steps advice.
What do I have to do if the result is negative?
If the result is negative, it means that the TSH level is below 5uIU/ml and is within the normal range. Hyperthyroidism is rare, but it can't be excluded without further testing. If the symptoms persist, you should consult a doctor.
Where can I get more information or help regarding the TSH Test?
For more information, you may check the Instructions For Use or you can contact 2San at their address: 6-8 Greencoat Place, London SW1P 1PL, United Kingdom, or via phone: +44 1524 488 064, or email: helpdesk@2san.com. They also have a website www.2san.com
