Complete Thyroid

Thyroid: TSH, Free T4, Free T3, Reverse T3, and TPO and thyroglobulin antibodies.

Nutrients: ferritin, iron with TIBC and iron saturation, vitamin B12, and vitamin D.

Added in this panel:

• Parietal cell antibody: a marker of autoimmunity against the stomach cells that make acid and intrinsic factor, the protein needed to absorb B12. If the screen is positive, the lab automatically runs a titer, which is included in the price.
• Selenium: a trace mineral the thyroid uses in making and converting its hormones.

This panel suits people with Hashimoto's or another autoimmune thyroid condition who have low B12 or iron that keeps returning, who need unusually high doses of levothyroxine, or who have a personal or family history of other autoimmune conditions.

If you mainly want to follow thyroid function, Thyroid Essentials is usually enough.

Consider this panel as a one-time, broader look when simpler testing has not explained your symptoms. The antibody and selenium results rarely need repeating on a routine schedule. Your clinician can advise which parts to recheck.

Test thyroid function 6 to 8 weeks after any dose change.

This panel requires fasting because of the iron test, so plan a morning draw.

• Thyroid medication: if you take levothyroxine or another thyroid medication, have your blood drawn before that day's dose and bring the dose with you. Keep taking your medication as prescribed otherwise.
• Biotin: high-dose biotin, common in hair, skin and nail supplements, can distort many of these lab results. Stop it at least 2 to 3 days before your draw.
• Supplements: iron can raise your iron result for a while after a dose, and selenium supplements can raise your selenium result. Ask your clinician whether to pause them before the draw.

Your report shows Quest's reference range next to each result. The thyroid and nutrient results read as they do on any thyroid and nutrient panel: TSH usually moves in the opposite direction from thyroid hormone, antibodies point to autoimmunity, and low ferritin is a strong sign of low iron stores.

For the added tests:

• A positive parietal cell antibody raises the possibility of autoimmune gastritis, but does not establish it. The antibody also appears in some people without gastritis, more often with age. It is most meaningful alongside low B12 or iron, and confirming it usually involves a gastroenterologist.
• A negative result makes autoimmune gastritis less likely, but does not exclude it.
• Selenium reflects mostly recent intake. Both low and high levels matter, because too much selenium is harmful.