Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) LIS Code: TSH
Private TSH thyroid blood test £31, results in about 4 hours. The first check for an underactive or overactive thyroid. No fasting or GP referral. Slough, Victoria, Neasden.
Before your test
Good to know: If you take biotin (vitamin B7) or a hair, skin and nails supplement, stop it for 2 days before your test, as it can affect thyroid results.
Test Categories
About this test
TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) is made by the pituitary gland in your brain and tells your thyroid how much thyroid hormone to produce. Because the pituitary reacts quickly to small changes, TSH is the most sensitive single test for thyroid problems and is the first test doctors use to check your thyroid.
What your TSH result means
- High TSH usually means your thyroid is underactive (hypothyroidism). The pituitary is pushing harder because the thyroid isn't making enough hormone. Common symptoms include tiredness, weight gain, feeling cold, constipation, dry skin, thinning hair and low mood.
- Low TSH usually means your thyroid is overactive (hyperthyroidism). Symptoms can include weight loss, a fast or irregular heartbeat, anxiety, shaking, feeling hot and sweaty, and loose stools.
- A normal TSH makes a thyroid problem much less likely, although it doesn't completely rule out rarer pituitary conditions.
A result just outside the range is common, especially after an illness, and is often rechecked after a few weeks before anything is decided.
TSH on its own or a full thyroid check?
TSH is a good first test. To see how much thyroid hormone you actually have, add free T4 (FT4), and to look for autoimmune causes such as Hashimoto's or Graves' disease, add thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies. Our TSH & Free T4 profile and full thyroid and autoimmune screen include these in one blood draw.
Preparing for your test
- No fasting is needed.
- TSH is a little higher in the early morning, so if you're comparing results over time, try to test at a similar time of day.
- If you take biotin (vitamin B7) or a hair, skin and nails supplement, stop it for 2 days before your test, as it can affect thyroid results.
- If you take thyroid medicine, follow your doctor's advice about whether to take your dose before or after the test.
How it works at VitaLync
- £31 for the test, plus a £25 blood draw at our Slough, Victoria or Neasden clinic, or a nurse visit at home or work.
- The laboratory usually reports TSH within about 4 hours of receiving your sample, and your result appears in your secure online account.
- To talk your result through with a doctor, book a GP consultation.
