Home Test - €149

As a laya healthcare member you may be entitled to claim some or all of the cost of your home test kits (subject to your outpatient excess). Simply log onto your dedicated Member Area on layahealthcare.ie and check under everyday medical expenses.

This simple blood test, taken in the comfort of your own home, will measure the function of your thyroid and one aspect of your heart health. These tests are related, as both an over- or under-active thyroid can affect cholesterol levels in the blood.

Heart disease and stroke are extremely deadly in Ireland in particular; 50% or more of all deaths are caused by these conditions. Several factors contribute to this, including tobacco use, high blood pressure, and high blood fats (or cholesterol). This home kit will be given a lipid profile, or cholesterol test, which will allow you to understand your risks. Fortunately, high cholesterol can be improved by dietary changes and/or medication.

Measuring thyroid function, on the other hand, will tell you whether you have an overactive or underactive thyroid; either of which can lead to serious health problems. Thyroid changes can occur over many months or even years, so taking a thyroid test on a regular basis allows these conditions to be detected earlier and treated appropriately.

Which gender is the test for?

Both females and males can take this test.

What are the tests for?

From one blood sample taken with the instructions issued in your kit, two tests are taken.

The first is a lipid profile, which measures the cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood. This will give you an indication of your heart health and whether or not you need to start taking action to lower your cholesterol.

The second test taken is a thyroid test that measures the thyroid hormones in the blood. This will indicate whether your thyroid is underactive, overactive, or normal.

What is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a fatty substance which is present in every living cell of all of the tissues in the body. Although it is essential for life, too much cholesterol in the blood can cause serious health problems, such as increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.

What is the Thyroid Hormone?

Thyroid hormone is a substance which is produced by the thyroid gland located in the neck. This hormone sets the rate at which cells burn energy. Sometimes the functioning of this gland can change, resulting in a state where the thyroid is either underactive or overactive. These conditions can occur over many months or even years. By checking these hormone levels on a regular basis through a thyroid test, such conditions can be detected earlier and treated appropriately.

Why should I have this test?

Knowing your cholesterol level will indicate if you need to take action to lower these levels and so lower your risk of heart attack and stroke.

Understanding your thyroid function will likewise enable appropriate treatment in the event that the gland is under or overactive.

Who can have this test?

The lipid profile (cholesterol test) and thyroid function test is suitable for anyone over the age of 25.

How is the test done?

It is a simple finger prick blood test using the kit provided. Then, the sample is posted by you to the Lab.

How will I get the results?

The results will be assessed by one of our Irish-registered GPs and delivered to your confidential medical file on the careoncall.ie website. If further action is required, you will be advised by a GP as to your next steps.