Evaluating Your Thyroid/Adrenal/Reproductive Hormones: The Consumer Movement for Thyroid Tests
As many of you know, Drs. Richard and Karilee Shames, authors of Fat, Fuzzy and Frazzled?", are actively involved in trying to raise the standards of thyroid care for patients around the country. They've been talking for a long time about how patients can get better care, and one of their regular targets has been what they refer to as the "tyranny of thyroid lab tests" -- especially, the overriding reliance on the TSH test.In their seminars and coaching sessions with patients from around the country, these holistic practitioners report that they are hearing the same concerns from patients. Says Dr. Richard Shames:
"Many patients are saying that that they have to convince their doctors to perform any thyroid tests in the first place. Then, the TSH test says the TSH is 'normal' -- and even if patient and doctor both suspect a thyroid that's out of balance, no action is taken. Finally, some patients say that their TSH results trigger their doctor to actually reduce the dose of thyroid medication. And these are patients who know their current dose is just barely enough as it is."Based on this feedback from patients, the Shames, in their capacity as advisors to the consumer group known as the Canary Club, felt that comprehensive self-testing for hormonal evaluation should be available to all thyroid patients. To that end, they surveyed various testing options available, and identified what they feel is the best self-testing option to evaluate thyroid, adrenal and reproductive hormones.
ZRT Labs of Beaverton, Oregon, and in particular, the ZRT Comprehensive Hormone Profile. ZRT's Comprehensive Hormone Profile combines saliva and blood spot testing to evaluate reproductive, thyroid, and adrenal function. The saliva testing component of the test evaluates estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, and the four cortisols. A painless finger prick tests collects blood spots for evaluation of thyroid function, including TSH, Free T3, Free T4, and TPO antibodies. Reports are usually available within 3 to 5 days of receipt of the test kit.
While kits are not always available to the general public, ZRT tests are available to Canary Club members without a doctor's order needed. Canary Club membership is free.
According to Dr. David Zava of ZRT, "the ranges for all four thyroid tests are in the same units and ranges as conventional blood serum tests, making it easy for your health care practioner to interpret the tests."
Adds Zava:
Along with thyroid test results, you'll receive a comprehensive narrative of your overall thyroid status to your adrenal (cortisol and DHEAS) and gonadal (estradiol, progesterone, testosterone) hormones. Knowing the interplay of these three hormonal systems (thyroid, adrenal, gonadal) will provide you with a more complete picture of your overall hormonal health and help with a comprehensive treatment strategy should some of these hormones be out of balance.Need More Information?
Comments
Hi Mary -
If this article is about saliva testing for the THYROID, and also about patient FEEDBACK, why can’t Dr. Shames answer my comments to last week’s article on SALIVA THYROID TESTING (below)?
If they want customers, then why not answer some questions? What if we want a separate package of FREE T4, FREE T3 and TSH without the anti-tpo? ZRT does blood spot testing for the thyroid levels, DTI seems to do the saliva testing, but what are the prices for *separate* or *a la carte* tests, or why don’t they offer this? I give up.
Thanks again,
Granny Chris
Personally, saliva tests for thyroid seem to provide a more accurate picture of my status than blood tests. But I still would like to see the research that caused the Shames to select thyroid saliva tests.
Disappointing lack of communication from Canary Club. I had problems setting up an account and asked for help, they never answered. Finally, I used another email address so that I could order testing kits. It’s been 10 days, my credit card has been charged, and the have not responded to my recent inquiry for a status on my order. I surely hope the experience improves.