Thyroid FunctionScreening
Complete thyroid panel assessment including TSH, T3, T4 and thyroid antibodies.
Understanding Thyroid Function
The thyroid is the body's metabolic thermostat: its hormones set the pace of energy use in virtually every cell. When output drifts — underactive (hypothyroidism) or overactive (hyperthyroidism) — the effects are wide-ranging and often insidious: fatigue, weight change, temperature intolerance, mood shifts, palpitations, hair thinning, altered periods. Around one in twenty people in the UK has a thyroid disorder, women six times more often than men.
Because symptoms build gradually and mimic everyday complaints — stress, ageing, menopause, low mood — thyroid dysfunction is notoriously easy to miss and straightforwardly detected with a blood test. TSH, the pituitary's instruction signal, is the most sensitive single marker: it rises when the thyroid underperforms and falls when it overproduces, often before thyroid hormone levels themselves leave the reference range. Free T4 completes the picture by measuring the active hormone supply directly.
The reward for detection is high: hypothyroidism is treated effectively with daily levothyroxine — among the most-prescribed medicines in the UK — and hyperthyroidism has several well-established treatment routes via NHS endocrinology. Most people feel substantially better within weeks of the right diagnosis.
Risk Indicators
- Weight changes
- Fatigue
- Temperature sensitivity
- Mood changes
Expert Care by Luciana
Our experienced registered nurse performs gentle blood draws with complete discretion. Your results are explained in a clear written report.
Diagnostic Path
Identifying clinical markers associated with thyroid function requires a high-resolution laboratory profile. Below are the recommended diagnostic assessments specifically calibrated for this concern.
Every one of our Full Body MOT packages — Basic, Advanced and Platinum — includes thyroid function testing (TSH and Free T4) within its comprehensive panel. This is deliberate: thyroid symptoms overlap heavily with anaemia, vitamin deficiency and metabolic conditions, so testing thyroid alongside full blood count, iron studies, B12, Vitamin D and metabolic markers answers the real question — "why do I feel like this?" — rather than just one corner of it.
When to See Your GP Urgently
Screening is for people without acute symptoms. If any of the following apply, please seek medical care first:
- A new lump or swelling in the neck — see your GP
- Racing heart with weight loss, tremor and heat intolerance — see your GP promptly
- Extreme fatigue with confusion or very low temperature — urgent medical care
- Difficulty swallowing or breathing with neck swelling — urgent care
Frequently Asked Questions
What symptoms suggest an underactive thyroid?
Persistent tiredness, unexplained weight gain, feeling cold, constipation, dry skin, thinning hair, low mood and brain fog. Individually non-specific; together, a pattern worth testing. Women — particularly after pregnancy and around menopause — are at higher risk.
What do TSH and Free T4 mean together?
High TSH with low Free T4 indicates hypothyroidism; low TSH with high Free T4 indicates overactivity. High TSH with normal Free T4 — "subclinical" hypothyroidism — affects up to 10% of older adults and warrants GP discussion and monitoring.
Why test thyroid within a full panel rather than alone?
Because thyroid symptoms are shared by iron deficiency, B12 deficiency, diabetes and more. Testing everything in one draw avoids the frustrating cycle of single negative tests. If your thyroid is normal, the panel usually still finds the explanation — or provides confident reassurance.
I am on levothyroxine — is monitoring useful?
Yes; annual checks are standard once stable, and our panels include the necessary markers. Bring your medication details, and take your tablet after the blood draw on test day for the most interpretable result.
Related Reading
Basic Full Body MOT
Advanced Full Body MOT
Platinum Full Body MOT – Men
Platinum Full Body MOT – Women
Our South Kensington Clinic
You will receive a detailed written report from our registered nurse with all examination findings and lab results.
Not sure which test you need? We'll guide you.
Book a health screening without choosing a package — our registered nurse will call you before your visit to talk through your health goals and recommend the right tests for you. No obligation, and you only pay in clinic for what you choose.
Guided bookings open from two days ahead so our team can call you first. Outside clinic hours? Message us on WhatsApp and we’ll reply as soon as we open.
Clinical Testimonials.
"Luciana the Brazilian nurse is the best!! Very kind and super efficient, she managed to get my blood very smoothly and I had the best experience. I really recommend going there and asking for her."
"Great experience at South Kensington Medical and Dental Clinic. Kind staff, quick appointment, and very fast results. Everything was smooth and stress-free. Highly recommend!"
"I was really impressed by the whole experience at South Kensington MD. Booking and engagement were seamless, with no tedious manual forms to fill in. The staff were friendly and welcoming throughout."
