THYRO-CHECK®

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

Thyroid disorders are one of the most prevalent medical conditions in the world, particularly for women, with an increasing rate of the population suffering under active thyroid (hypothyroidism). The symptoms of hypothyroidism include feeling tired and lethargic, weight gain, dry skin and brittle hair, becoming forgetful and sometimes depressed, feeling cold and enduring constipation as well as menstrual irregularities in women. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), which is secreted by pituitary, regulates and controls the activity of the thyroid gland. Therefore, a raised TSH level indicates an under active thyroid and this is the principle on which THYRO-CHECK® is based for the detection of the hypothyroidism condition.

Caution: THYRO-CHECK® should not be performed in case of hormonal thyroid medical treatment.

THYRO-CHECK® by PHARMA Southern Africa is a rapid immunodiagnostic test for the detection of increased TSH levels and therefore for hypothyroidism screening from a finger prick blood sample.

WHEN SHOULD THE TEST BE PERFORMED?

In case of hypothyroidism symptoms such as feeling tired, depressed or cold regularly, weight gain, dry skin, brittle hair, enduring constipation or menstrual cycle irregularities in women, it is recommended to perform THYRO-CHECK®. THYRO- CHECK® can be used any time of the day.

WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO IF THE RESULT IS POSITIVE?

If the result is positive, it means that the TSH level in blood is higher than the norm (5μIU/mL) and that you should consult a doctor to show the test result. Then, the doctor will decide whether additional analysis should be performed.

INCLUDED IN KIT

A sealed aluminum pouch containing:

• 1 test device, 1 plastic pipette and 1 desiccant bag
• 1 sterile lancet for blood sampling
• 1 dropper bottle containing 1 mL of diluent
• 1 instruction leaflet
• 1 alcohol pad

HOW TO USE

Testing procedure always starts with a good preparation. Place the content of the box on a clean, dry and flat surface (e.g. table). Then the testing follows:

1. Wash your hands thoroughly. Use soap and warm water. Dry your hand with clean towel.
2. Prepare the test device and the pipette. Take them out from the protective pouch (tear at the notch) and place them in the reach of your hands (you will need them later). Discard the desiccant bag.
3. Prepare the lancet. Hold the lancet without touching the trigger button. Unlock the lancet cap twisting it off 1⁄4 turn until you feel it separates from the lancet and then continue twisting it (2-3 rotations). Don’t pull just twist and discard the cap when finished.
4. Clean the end of the middle finger or ring finger with the alcohol pad. Rub the chosen finger towards the tip for 10 to 15 seconds to enhance the blood flow.
5. Press platform firmly against the lateral side of the previously cleaned finger, and press the release trigger button.
6. The tip will automatically retract into the body of the device.
7. Rub the finger’s end to obtain enough whole blood sample.
8. Without pressing the bulb, put in contact the plastic pipette with the blood sample. The blood migrates into the pipette through capillarity to the line indicated on the pipette. You may rub again your finger to obtain more blood if the line is not reached. As far as possible, avoid air bubbles.
9. Put the blood collected with the pipette into the sample well of the device, by pressing on the pipette bulb.
10. Wait 30-40 sec for the blood being totally absorbed into the sample well. Unscrew the blue cap of the diluent dropper bottle (leave the white cap tightly screwed) and add the diluent as follows: Hold the diluent dropper bottle vertically and slowly add exactly 4 drops in the sample well of the device with an interval of 2-3 seconds between each drop.
11. Read the result after 10 minutes. Do not interpret after 15 minutes.

Click here to view the patient information leaflet.