Thyroid Testing Brisbane.
At The Shift Clinic Brisbane we offer comprehensive and holistic thyroid testing to get to the bottom of your health issues.
Book your thyroid test at Shift Brisbane here.
Book your thyroid test at Shift Brisbane here.
Having an underactive thyroid gland is common and often goes undiagnosed. At The Shift Clinic we offer comprehensive thyroid testing, including all thyroid hormones (not just TSH), thyroid antibodies and nutrient levels that are important for thyroid function such as iodine.
Trusted by hundreds of Brisbane patients
Book your thyroid test at Shift Brisbane here.
Local, convenient clinic in Brisbane
Address
Suite 17, 46 Douglas Street, Milton, Brisbane, QLD, 4064
Booking availability
If you know what type of appointment you need, you can book your own appointment using our easy online appointment scheduler 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
If you have an urgent concern that cannot wait, please call us on (07) 3733 2360 and we will do our best to fit you in earlier.
Opening hours
Monday – Thursday: 8:00am – 7:00pm
Friday – Saturday: 8:00am – 2:00pm
Sunday: Closed
How does thyroid testing work?
Ever been to a GP and gotten your TSH testing? Thyroid stimulating hormone or TSH is just one of four thyroid hormone levels that you can test for. Unfortunately unless your thyroid is very dysfunctional TSH is often normal which leaves a lot of people with subclinical hypothyroidism undiagnosed and told that there is nothing wrong with them.
To uncover thyroid dysfunction we need to look at the whole picture – not just TSH. Let’s break it down.
TSH
Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) stimulates your thyroid gland to make more thyroid hormone. This means when TSH is high, your thyroid function is actually low. an underactive thyroid gland is the most common issue associated with thyroid gland dysfunction.
T4 & T3
T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine) are the two thyroid hormones produced by the thyroid gland. Mostly T4 is produced then converted into T3 – the active form – in the tissues of the body. Testing or T4 and T3 does not happen by Australian doctors unless your TSH is out of range.
Reverse T3
To throw another spanner in the works you also have reverse T3 – a biologically inactive form of thyroid hormone that binds to receptors and stops your active hormone from working as well. This is necessary for regulation but if RT3 is high it can cause symptoms of thyroid dysfunction.
Thyroid autoantibodies
Often the cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto’s thyroiditis – an autoimmune disorder that stops your thyroid from producing enough thyroid hormone. Treatment for this is different to non-autoimmune hypothyroidism so this can be an important marker to have to get the full picture.
Nutrient levels
There are several important nutrients in thyroid function and if we want to take a holistic approach we also should consider testing these.
Zinc and Selenium are necessary for the conversion of T4 to T3, so without them hypothyroidism can occur.
Iodine is needed to manufacture T4 and T4 – and given it is a common deficiency a urinary iodine test can be useful to ensure your thyroid has what it needs.
Iron studies are also important, both because iron deficiency symptoms can mirror many hypothyroid symptoms but also because you need iron to produce and metabolise thyroid hormones. Iron deficiency is a common disorder that also impacts energy levels.
What are the different types of thyroid gland dysfunction?
Low thyroid function (hypothyroidism)
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is the autoimmune disorder that causes hypothyroidism.
Nutrient deficiencies of iodine, zinc, selenium or iron can lead to hypothyroidism.
High thyroid function (hyperthyroidism)
Graves disease is the autoimmune disorder that leads to hyperthyroidism.
Post viral hyperthyroidism can also occur – and was common after the COVID-19 pandemic.
How can thyroid dysfunction impact long term health?
Because the thyroid up-regulates pretty much every function in the body dysfunction can be widespread and will impact multiple bodily functions. Thyroid dysfunction is associated with mental health issues, osteopenia or osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, weight issues or underweight BMI, infertility or pregnancy complications.
The most common early symptoms of hypothyroidism are fatigue, weight gain, brain fog, hair loss, dry skin, anxiety and/or depression and bloating.
Learn more about thyroid health in this episode of The Shift.
Who should get a thyroid test?
Anyone who has an existing autoimmune disorder, family history of thyroid disease or is experiencing any or multiple of the following symptoms; weight gain, slow metabolism, extreme weight loss, increased appetite, dry skin, hair loss/thinning, constipation, unexplained diarrhoea, fatigue, fast or slowed heart rate, depression, anxiety, heat or cold intolerance, brain fog, menstrual cycle changes, bulging eyes, voice changes, goitre. If there is a family history of thyroid cancer or you experience thyroid nodules then a thyroid function test and consultation with an endocrinologist is advised.
What to expect from your thyroid test?
Pricing
The first step is a Discovery & Diagnosis session with a Shift Clinic Brisbane naturopath. This initial appointment is 90 minutes long and costs $260. During this session, you’ll gain valuable insights into your current health, identify key areas to focus on, and receive guidance on how to begin your shift towards better health. Please note, your thyroid function blood test or other testing may incur a private fee from the lab used.
Booking
You can book your Discovery & Diagnosis Session using our online booking system. If you don’t see a suitable time available of have any questions, call us on (07) 3367 0337 and we will do our best to accomodate you.
Arrival
If you’re coming to Shift Brisbane please plan to be here 10 minutes before your appointment to ensure you get a park and are ready to start on time. We will provide you with a welcome pack and a cup of tea so you can settle into our calming space before your appointment.
For online sessions, please find a quiet, comfortable space where you won’t be disturbed during your appointment.
Post testing recommendations
Once you complete your blood test you will have a follow up consultation with our clinical naturopaths to discuss any potential thyroid conditions and what treatment plan will help to address them. If there is a diagnosed thyroid issue that needs a medical referral we will facilitate that as well.
Why choose Shift for thyroid testing in Brisbane?
Thyroid issues are one of the top 5 things we treat at Shift and we can ensure that you get access to advanced diagnostic tools and a comprehensive management plan to work through any thyroid dysfunction.
What we offer
- Over 35 years of combined clinical experience in naturopathy and endocrine health issues
- Expertise in managing both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism
- Conveniently located Milton clinic in Brisbane with easy access
- Virtual consultations available, supporting clients across Australia and worldwide
- Personalised, whole-person care tailored to your unique health needs
Book your thyroid test at Shift Brisbane here.
Our Brisbane based thyroid testing experts
Thyroid hormone levels are often poorly misunderstood by GPs unless you are severely unwell. By doing a blood test that addresses all aspects we can determine if your thyroid needs support or not.
Founder
Naturopath
Naturopath
Nutrition and Lifestyle Coach & Senior Client Care Administrator
Thyroid testing FAQs.
Can thyroid issues be treated naturally?
Many thyroid issues can be treated naturally using naturopathic care and dietary intervention. Some of our clients will need to continue prescribed medication alongside our treatment. Our patients are all different and your care will depend on what your individual case calls for.
In some cases surgery may be required if there is an abnormal growth or thyroid nodules.
How accurate is thyroid testing done by a naturopath compared to traditional medical testing?
Traditional medical testing assesses thyroid health using TSH which is not always accurate. The thyroid gland is much more complex than this and without doing a thyroid function test that includes T4, T3 and reverse T3 you can’t get the full picture of what is going on. A simple blood test can achieve this and by having all of your results your diagnosis will be more accurate.
Since the thyroid affects all of your organs on a cellular level, you want to make sure you get diagnosed on all levels to find the cause of the dysfunction.
Do I need a referral for thyroid testing with a naturopath in Brisbane?
A referral is not required. We do ask that if you have had your thyroid tested previously by your doctor or endocrinologist to bring a copy of these results if you have them.
How long does it take to get thyroid test results back?
A thyroid blood test only takes 48 hours to come back once the sample is collected.
Is a blood test enough to provide comprehensive thyroid testing?
Yes, thankfully thyroid health can be assessed mostly through a blood test alone. Urinary iodine is also a useful adjuvant which can be ordered alongside your thyroid test.
Can naturopathic thyroid tests diagnose autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto’s or Graves’ disease?
You can test for thyroid autoantibodies like thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin through the blood. We can also look for TSI antibodies (Grave’s disease). These are very important to determine what thyroid treatment we will use.
What natural treatment options do naturopaths offer for thyroid conditions?
There are dozens of evidence backed interventions that can be used to support thyroid hormone production, reduce antibodies and in some cases suppress thyroid function. While it may be easier to take thyroxine medication (which is literally T4) it sometimes does not solve the issue fully and naturopathic care is a great adjuvant to treatment.
Can diet and nutrition significantly impact my thyroid condition?
Yes – there are lots of studies on diet and thyroid dysfunction. Your naturopath will help make sure your diet has the nutrients your thyroid needs and will teach you which foods and make your situation worse.
Can hormonal imbalances impact thyroid function?
Hormone metabolism and function directly impacts how your thyroid gland works. The endocrine system is intrinsically connected – learn more about how on this episode of The Shift.
If you want to know if your thyroid needs support then book a Discovery & Diagnosis with one of our team today.
Book your thyroid test at Shift Brisbane here.
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