TSH, FT3  and FT4 Test Results for Graves’ Disease and Hyperthyroidism

Non-blood tests

Radioactive Iodine Uptake

Because T4 contains much iodine, the thyroid gland must pull a large amount of iodine out from the blood stream in order for the gland to make an appropriate amount of T4. The thyroid has developed a very active mechanism for doing this.

 Therefore, this activity can be measured by having an individual swallow a small amount of iodine, which is radioactive. The radioactivity allows the doctor to track where the iodine molecules go. By measuring the amount of radioactivity that is taken up by the thyroid gland (radioactive iodine uptake, RAIU) doctors may determine whether the gland is functioning normally.

 A very high RAIU is seen in individuals whose thyroid gland is overactive (hyperthyroidism), while a low RAIU is seen when the thyroid gland is underactive (hypothyroidism). In addition to the radioactive iodine uptake, a thyroid scan may be obtained, which shows a picture of the thyroid gland.

 How to perform your own tests

So I made a decision to order my tests and perform them at home, so I would know my thyroid condition all the time. There are a few companies that offer that type of tests and they’ll send you the results over email, or give them over the phone. It was very convenient for me, and also it happen that when properly taken they are very correct and reflect your actual thyroid condition. You can check the following company, I used that before, but use your judgment if you need this test or not. Click on the name below and it will take you to their website.

BIOSAFE Thyroid Tests

About the author: Svetla Bankova is an author of "Life Manual for Graves' Disease and Hyperthyroidism"- a book, based not only  on her experience as a former Graves' Disease patient but also her research as a psychologist. This is  only book that explains step by step how and why Graves' Disease came to your life, the cause and specific steps for alternative treatment of Graves' disease.

...She avoided an eye surgery and saw improvement in just 2 1/2 weeks! Hi Svetla, I just wanted to let you know that I have been taking the flax seed oil and using my eye drops for about 2 1/2 weeks now and I can already tell a difference -I do not have all of the pain in my eyes that I was having and I can tell by touch that my eyes are not protruding as much.   I am going to the eye doctor next week.  I am anxious to see how much my measurements have improved, because I know they have.  I just wanted to say thanks for your information, because I was not looking forward to that horrible sounding eye surgery. Thanks, Stacy P.