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Taking your test

Taking this test is a quick and easy way to screen for a thyroid disorder but to obtain an accurate result, it’s essential that you do it correctly. Watch our video here for clear, step-by-step instructions on how to take the test. It will show you how to take a sample of your blood and make sure you get the right amount, as well as how long you’ll need to wait for a reliable result. We recommend watching the full video before you start, to ensure you’re ready to collect your sample. You can then use your SPACEBAR to pause the video where needed as you follow along with the step-by-step instructions.

Understanding your lateral flow test results

Understanding your Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) Rapid Test results

To help you understand what steps to take once you have received your results, we’ve put together this page to help you interpret what your results may mean and what you may want to do with these results. Remember: you should always consult a medical professional before making changes to your diet and lifestyle.

Before you continue its important that you have:

  • Read the ‘instructions for use’ leaflet included in your kit
  • Taken the test according to instructions
Between 10 and 20 minutes

Interpreting your results

Once you have collected your sample and performed your test, you must wait 10 minutes after applying your sample into the test cassette, before you read the results. Do not interpret the result after 20 minutes.

If 2 lines appear against the test (T) and control (C) on your cassette, then the TSH level is higher than the normal (5μIU/mL).

What next?

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), is a hormone produced by the body which stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroxine⁽¹⁾. In most cases, a high TSH level indicates that you have an underactive thyroid, also known as hypothyroidism⁽¹⁾.

To confirm your result, or to get an exact measurement of the TSH level in your blood, you might want to consider taking a confirmatory blood test. This type of test is sent off to a laboratory for analysis and can be sent as part of your thyroid profile alongside a hormone called free T4 (thyroxine), to more accurately review how your thyroid is functioning. You can then take your results to a healthcare professional who will give you advice on what to do next.

If only 1 line appears against the control (C) marker, the TSH level in your blood is not in the range to consider hypothyroidism.

What next?

The test indicates that your TSH levels are not raised, which suggests you do not have an underactive thyroid.

To confirm your result, or to get an exact measurement of the TSH level in your blood, you might want to consider taking a confirmatory blood test. This type of test is sent off to a laboratory for analysis and can be sent as part of your thyroid profile alongside a hormone called free T4 (thyroxine), to more accurately review how your thyroid is functioning. If both these results are normal this is considered a marker of good health and the test can be repeated every 6-12 months. If either result is abnormal, you can then take your results to a healthcare professional who will give you advice on what to do next.

If a control line (C) fails to appear or only appears next to the test line (T) it is likely there was an insufficient volume of specimen to test, or the incorrect testing procedure was followed.

What next?

We recommend that you take another test. If this problem persists, please contact our customer care team for further assistance.

References: 1. Ortiga-Carvalho TM, Chiamolera MI, Pazos-Moura CC, Wondisford FE. Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Thyroid Axis. Compr Physiol. 2016 Jun 13;6(3):1387–428.