Health Screening
Does a full body MOT check your thyroid?
Written by Mr Stephen LingamReviewed by Dr Mohammad Bakhtiar (GMC 4694470) on
Every tier tests your thyroid. At Health Screening Clinic, the Essential MOT (£495) measures FT4 and TSH, and Advanced (£999), Elite and Ultimate add T4, FT3 and thyroid antibodies. Each tier includes a doctor's examination and a review of your results with the doctor in person, and you can compare all four on our Health MOT page.
The thyroid is a small gland at the base of the neck that sets how fast your body uses energy. When it slows down, the changes arrive gradually. The NHS lists tiredness, feeling cold, weight gain, low mood and difficulty concentrating among the symptoms of an underactive thyroid, and says they usually develop slowly. Most people put them down to work or age, so a thyroid problem is often found only when somebody measures it.
"Thyroid problems creep up slowly, so people put the tiredness down to work or getting older. At the MOT I read your TSH next to how you've been feeling, and your other results, and if it's borderline we check it again."
Dr Mohammad Bakhtiar, Clinical Lead, GMC 4694470
What each tier tests
| Tier | Thyroid tests | What the extra markers add | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essential | FT4 and TSH | The two core markers. TSH shows how hard your body is signalling the thyroid, and FT4 shows the thyroid hormone available to your tissues. | £495 |
| Advanced | T4, TSH, FT3, FT4 and thyroid antibodies (thyroglobulin and thyroid peroxidase) | FT3 is the most active thyroid hormone. The antibodies show whether your immune system is involved. | £999 |
| Elite | The same expanded panel as Advanced | The thyroid panel matches Advanced. The package widens elsewhere, with imaging and further markers. | From £1,850 (£2,095 for women) |
| Ultimate | The same expanded panel as Advanced | The thyroid panel matches Advanced. The package widens elsewhere, with MRI and further markers. | From £2,950 |
TSH and FT4 tell the doctor whether your thyroid is working at a steady pace. The antibodies add the reason behind a result, because an immune system that targets the thyroid explains many cases that would otherwise stay a puzzle. A single panel is a snapshot of one day, which is why the doctor reads it with your history rather than on its own.
What our doctor does with a borderline TSH
A TSH that sits close to the edge is the thyroid result that most needs a conversation. At your review, the doctor places it beside what you have told them: your energy, sleep, weight, mood, any medicines, and whether thyroid conditions run in your family. They place it beside the examination too, including a look at the neck. If you feel well, the usual next step is to repeat the test after an interval the doctor sets, because TSH shifts a little from week to week. If antibodies are present, the doctor takes that into account when deciding how closely to follow it.
One practical point before you come: if you take biotin, which is common in hair and nail supplements, mention it when you book. High doses can affect thyroid results, and the team will tell you whether to pause it beforehand.
Rechecking in your GP appointments
Advanced, Elite and Ultimate include four GP appointments over the 12 months after your screening. They run as long as you need, and immediate family can share them. One of those appointments is a natural place to repeat a borderline thyroid test and talk through the new figure. At Health Screening Clinic, the doctor can also refer you on to a specialist they know, and we make no referral charge for that.
Who explains your results
Your doctor goes through every result with you at the review, thyroid included, and answers questions as they come up. If a result needs a specialist's opinion, the doctor says so and arranges it. Who reviews your results explains how that works across the whole MOT.
Questions people ask
Do I need a separate thyroid test as well as an MOT?
Every tier already includes one, so a separate test only makes sense if you want your thyroid checked on its own. For that, Medical Express Clinic offers a stand-alone thyroid function test.
Can I add antibody testing to the Essential MOT?
Any extra test is confirmed with you before you book, and the doctor will agree it fits your history. If the next tier already includes the test, that tier is often the better buy, and our guide to MOT add-on tests sets out how to decide.
Book your Health MOT
We are at 117a Harley Street. Health MOTs are carried out Monday to Friday, and your results review can be on a Saturday or Sunday if that suits you better. Choose your Health MOT and reserve a time.
Related screening
Stephen Lingam
Managing Director
Managing Director of Medical Express Clinic and the Health Screening Clinic since 1984. Over 40 years of operational experience in private healthcare on Harley Street, overseeing patient care, clinical standards, and service delivery.
Dr Mohammad Bakhtiar
MD, PhD, LRCP, MSc, DHMSA
Clinical Lead
GMC: 4694470
Leading our clinical team with a focus on comprehensive men's health and preventative oncology protocols.
Last reviewed: 15/11/2026