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Specialist Thyroid

Thyroid and Metabolic Insight Panel

Six-marker thyroid panel with Reverse T3 — identifies cellular-level thyroid hormone resistance missed by standard function tests.

6 biomarkers Clinic appointment required Includes Reverse T3 Results in 5 to 7 working days
4.8 (214 reviews)
£169.00

or 4 interest-free payments of £42.25 with Klarna

Collection method Self-collected fingerstick
Quantity 1 kit
1
UKAS accredited ISO 15189 laboratory
UK GDPR secure Barcoded, anonymous sample
GMC-reviewed Physician-signed report
Thyroid and Metabolic Insight Panel
UKAS ISO 15189
Accredited
Product description

A six-marker advanced thyroid panel measuring TSH, Free T4, Free T3, Reverse T3 (rT3), the FT3:rT3 ratio, and TPO antibodies. Clinic appointment required.

For most people, standard thyroid markers are sufficient to detect dysfunction. But a subset of patients — particularly those with chronic illness, significant physiological stress, post-viral fatigue, or on prolonged caloric restriction — produce elevated levels of Reverse T3 (RT3). RT3 is an inactive metabolite of T4 that competes with Free T3 at cellular receptors, effectively blocking thyroid hormone action at the tissue level.

The result is a clinical picture of hypothyroidism — fatigue, brain fog, cold sensitivity, slow metabolism — despite TSH and FT4 that appear normal. This panel measures TSH, FT4, FT3, Reverse T3, TPO antibodies, and TG antibodies, giving a complete view of thyroid function, conversion efficiency, and immune status.

The FT3-to-RT3 ratio is a clinically used indicator of whether elevated RT3 is impairing thyroid action at the cellular level. Because Reverse T3 requires a venous blood draw for accurate measurement, this test must be collected at a partner clinic. Results are reviewed by a GMC-registered physician within 5 to 7 working days.

Reviewed by the Trupoint medical board · Last updated May 2026
What we measure

Every biomarker, explained

Understand what each marker measures, why it matters, and what the science says — not just a list of numbers.

6
Biomarkers in this panel
2
Physiological systems covered
1
Sample
24 - 48
Hours
2 MARKERS

Thyroid Function

Pituitary regulator of thyroid output; primary screening marker for hypo- and hyperthyroidism.

Main thyroid hormone secreted by the gland; substrate for both FT3 and Reverse T3 conversion.

Biologically active form of thyroid hormone that drives cellular energy, metabolism, and temperature regulation.

Inactive T4 metabolite that competes with FT3 at receptor sites; elevated levels can cause tissue-level hypothyroid symptoms.

2 MARKERS

Thyroid Autoimmunity

Autoimmune marker present in around 95% of Hashimoto's cases; can drive elevated RT3 indirectly via inflammation.

Complementary autoimmune marker that adds diagnostic sensitivity for TPO-negative autoimmune thyroid disease.

Is this right for me?

Who this test is for

This panel is designed for adults who want a comprehensive, evidence-based picture of their metabolic health — not a GP referral panel.

People With Ongoing Hypothyroid Symptoms

People with ongoing hypothyroid symptoms and 'normal' standard thyroid results

Those With Post-Viral Fatigue

Those with post-viral fatigue, fibromyalgia, or chronic fatigue syndrome and thyroid concerns

Individuals On Prolonged Caloric Restriction

Individuals on prolonged caloric restriction or with severe physiological stress

Those Already On Levothyroxine Who Still

Those already on levothyroxine who still feel unwell despite normal TSH

Not appropriate for First-line thyroid screening — start with TP-TH-001 or TP-TH-002 if untested. Individuals who can collect via home fingerstick kit (venous draw required)
Transparency

Test limitations

Reverse T3 measurement requires a venous blood draw for analytical accuracy and must be collected at a partner clinic; home fingerstick collection is not suitable for this marker. Elevated RT3 is a non-specific finding that can result from acute illness, physiological stress, prolonged fasting, or certain medications in addition to chronic illness, and must be interpreted in full clinical context. The FT3-to-RT3 ratio, while used clinically, is not universally standardised and is best evaluated by a physician familiar with functional thyroid medicine. This panel does not include nutritional co-factors (ferritin, vitamin D, B12) that also affect RT3 levels; consider the Comprehensive Thyroid Health Panel if these are also needed.

Reviewed annually by our medical advisory board.
The process

How it works

From order to physician-reviewed report in as little as three working days.

Day 0

Book your clinic appointment at checkout — choose from partner clinic locations

Day 1

Attend your appointment for a venous blood draw; the process takes approximately 10 minutes

Day 2

Your sample is couriered to the laboratory on the same day

Day 3

Physician-reviewed results on your dashboard within 5 to 7 working days

Sample collection

Choose how you collect

Three options designed to fit your schedule, location, and preference — all producing a laboratory-standard sample.

Eligibility

Adults 18+ in mainland UK. Not suitable if you have had a transfusion in the last 3 months.

Availability

Order anytime; kit dispatched within 24 hours Mon–Fri.

Turnaround

Allow 24–48 hours for sample transit on top of lab processing time.

Why Trupoint

Built on rigorous science and UK regulatory standards

Every test is processed in a UKAS ISO 15189-accredited laboratory, overseen by GMC-registered physicians, and governed by UK GDPR. No overseas processing, no offshore data.

ISO 15189 accredited laboratory
CQC-registered collection service
GMC-registered physician review
GDPR-compliant data handling
MHRA-compliant sample processing
2.4M+
tests processed
99.4%
on-time results
11 yrs
average lab tenure
Before your test

Preparation instructions

Follow these guidelines to ensure accurate, reproducible results. Most markers are sensitive to recent food, exercise, and sleep.

Please do

  • Fast for at least 8 hours before your clinic appointment (water is fine)
  • Take your appointment before any thyroid medication dose (unless advised otherwise)
  • Inform the clinician of all medications, particularly corticosteroids, beta-blockers, or amiodarone

Please avoid

  • Do not take biotin supplements for 48 hours before your appointment
  • Do not test during an acute illness or within 4 weeks of major surgery
  • Do not engage in heavy exercise in the 24 hours before collection
Support

Frequently asked questions

Can't find your answer? Our clinical support team is available Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm.

Contact support

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Reverse T3 and why does it matter?

Reverse T3 (RT3) is an inactive mirror image of Free T3. Both are produced from the same precursor hormone (T4), but while FT3 binds to thyroid receptors and drives metabolism and energy, RT3 competes for the same receptor sites without activating them. When RT3 is elevated relative to FT3, it effectively ‘blocks’ thyroid hormone action at the cellular level, creating a state of functional hypothyroidism even when blood levels of TSH and T4 appear normal. This is why some people feel profoundly hypothyroid despite being told their thyroid results are fine.

What causes elevated Reverse T3?

The body preferentially converts T4 to RT3 rather than FT3 in situations of physiological stress — as a protective mechanism to slow metabolism during illness, fasting, trauma, or prolonged caloric restriction. Common causes of chronically elevated RT3 include chronic illness (including post-viral syndromes), adrenal dysfunction, severe nutrient deficiencies (particularly ferritin and selenium), high cortisol states, and certain medications such as corticosteroids, beta-blockers, and amiodarone. Identifying the underlying cause is as important as identifying the elevated RT3 itself.

What is the FT3-to-RT3 ratio and what does it mean?

The FT3-to-RT3 ratio is calculated by dividing the FT3 value (in pg/mL) by the RT3 value (in ng/dL). A ratio above 20 is generally considered adequate thyroid action at the cellular level; a ratio below 20 suggests that RT3 may be impairing thyroid receptor function. This ratio is not universally standardised across laboratories, and different practitioners use different thresholds. Your Trupoint Health physician will interpret the ratio in the context of your full results and clinical presentation. The ratio is a guide, not a definitive diagnostic cut-off.

Why does this test require a clinic visit?

RT3 measurement requires an adequate volume of serum that is reliably obtained from a venous blood draw. Capillary fingerstick samples — while suitable for most thyroid markers — can produce haemolyse or insufficient volume that affects the analytical accuracy of RT3 assays. To ensure a reliable result, we require a clinic-based venous collection for this panel. The appointment takes approximately 10 minutes and is available at partner clinic locations across the UK.

Can this test be used to adjust my thyroid medication?

The results from this panel can provide valuable data for a prescribing physician to consider when reviewing your treatment. Some practitioners use elevated RT3 as a rationale for trialling T3 supplementation (liothyronine) or switching from levothyroxine to a combination T4-T3 medication. However, medication adjustments must only be made by a qualified prescriber, and the appropriate treatment approach is debated within endocrinology. Please share your results with your GP or specialist; do not adjust medication independently based on these results.

How is this different from the standard thyroid function test?

Standard thyroid function tests measure TSH, and sometimes FT4. The NHS rarely measures FT3 routinely, and RT3 testing is largely absent from NHS pathways. This panel specifically targets the conversion side of thyroid physiology — how T4 is being metabolised and whether it is producing usable FT3 or being shunted to the inactive RT3 pathway. It is a specialist tool for people who have already had standard testing and have reason to investigate further, not a first-line screening test.