The short answer
The primary screening test for thyroid function — detects both overactive and underactive thyroid, measured from a standard blood draw. At TestWell it costs $26.99 plus a $6 lab fee, needs no fasting, and results post in 1–3 business days. Physician-authorized with no doctor's visit or insurance needed; draw at Quest or Labcorp.
Hospital Lab
$100
cash pay
Other Labs
$35
+ lab fees
TestWell
$26.99
+ $6 lab fee
TSH is the most sensitive and commonly used test for evaluating thyroid function. It's produced by the pituitary gland and signals the thyroid to produce hormones. High TSH suggests an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), while low TSH suggests an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism). This is usually the first test ordered when thyroid problems are suspected.
First-line screen for thyroid dysfunction. Elevated TSH usually indicates an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism); suppressed TSH suggests an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).
Anyone with fatigue, unexplained weight changes, cold intolerance, hair thinning, irregular periods, or a family history of thyroid disease.
Sample Type
Blood draw
Fasting
Not required
Results In
1–3 business days
Performed At
Quest or Labcorp
Your TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) results will include values for each of the 1 biomarker tested, along with reference ranges. Results are reviewed by a licensed physician before being released to your secure portal.
If any values fall outside the normal range, your report will include guidance on what that may mean and recommended next steps. You'll receive an email notification when your results are ready, typically within 1–3 business days.
Typical reference range layout
Lab reports show where your value sits relative to established reference intervals—your physician interprets this in context for you.
No fasting required. Best drawn in the morning when TSH levels are highest.
The short answer
Yes - TSH is the correct first test for a suspected thyroid problem. One inexpensive draw screens for both underactive and overactive thyroid, and it changes before T4 and T3 do, so it is the most sensitive single thyroid marker.
We would rather you order the right test than the most expensive one.
TSH is a venous draw at Quest or Labcorp, or an at-home mobile draw where available. No fasting required, though drawing at a consistent time of day improves comparability between tests because TSH has a mild daily rhythm.
The markers that matter most and what an out-of-range value can mean. Reference ranges vary by lab, age and sex.
| Marker | Typical range | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| TSH | ~0.45-4.5 mIU/L | Above the range usually means an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism); below it usually means an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism). Pregnancy and age shift the optimal range. |
This section medically reviewed by Youmna DiStefano, MD — updated June 2026. General health information, not medical advice; interpret results with a qualified clinician.
A TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) test costs $26.99 at TestWell — $32.99 all-in when ordered alone, because the $6 lab processing fee is charged once per order, with no draw fee or physician fee added. Ordered directly from the labs' own consumer sites, the closest equivalent lists at $49.00 at Quest Health and $49.00 at Labcorp OnDemand (list prices checked Sep 12, 2026; see the notes on how the products differ). Hospital outpatient labs typically bill around $100.00 self-pay for the same test, and often more. With insurance, what you pay depends on your deductible and your plan's negotiated rate; TestWell's price is fixed before the draw and is HSA/FSA-eligible.
| Where you order | Price | One test, all-in | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| TestWell (drawn at Quest or Labcorp) | $26.99 | $32.99 | Includes the one $6 lab processing fee, charged once per order |
| Quest Health (Quest Diagnostics' own site) | $49.00 | $49.00 | Quest Health's TSH reflexes to free T4 when abnormal; TestWell's is TSH alone (TSH + free T4 is a separate test) · list price checked Sep 12, 2026 |
| Labcorp OnDemand (Labcorp's own site) | $49.00 | $49.00 | list price checked Sep 12, 2026 |
| Hospital outpatient lab, self-pay (typical) | $100.00 | $100.00 | Reference figure; hospital charges vary widely by facility and are often higher |
33% less than the lower lab-direct list price, for the same draw at the same lab. Lab test codes: Quest test code 899 · Labcorp test no. 004259 · BioReference code 0153-7. Competitor prices are read from the linked public pages and re-checked regularly; the labs' sites may add taxes or change prices without notice.
TestWell Price
$26.99
+ $6 lab processing fee at checkout
No insurance needed · HIPAA compliant
Frequently ordered together
Customers who ordered TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) also added these for a more complete health picture.
Not sure where to start?
TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone)
$26.99