In development

Thyroid testing.
In your hand.

Inspired by the simplicity of a glucometer, we're developing a handheld point-of-care reader and test cartridge focused on TSH, T4 and T3.

Explore the concept Work with us
  • TSH
  • T4
  • T3

01 — Our focus

A handheld reader.
A fuller thyroid picture.

Our first priority is a handheld thyroid reader with a single-use test cartridge. The intended panel brings three thyroid measurements together from a small blood sample. This is our development direction, not a finished product.

01

TSH

Thyroid-stimulating hormone

The pituitary hormone that signals the thyroid to produce thyroid hormones — usually the first test ordered.

02

T4

Free thyroxine

The main thyroid hormone circulating in the blood. Our intended measurement is free T4.

03

T3

Triiodothyronine

The most active thyroid hormone, completing the picture alongside TSH and T4.

Learn how thyroid tests work from the American Thyroid Association (opens in a new tab) ↗

Inside the concept

Six layers.
One handheld.

  1. Assembled

    A compact reader with a clear display and a single-use test cartridge — scroll to look inside.

  2. Top shell & display

    A palm-sized enclosure with an integrated screen designed to show TSH, T4 and T3 side by side.

  3. Test cartridge

    Microfluidic channels guide a small sample to three read zones, one for each measurement in the panel.

  4. Optical module

    A light source and detector sit beneath the cartridge to read each zone — the sensing approach is under active development.

  5. Electronics & power

    A controller board handles measurement and data, with a rechargeable battery and USB-C charging.

  6. Every layer has a job

    From cartridge to circuit board, each part is being designed and evaluated as we work toward an integrated prototype.

3D concept render. Components and layout are illustrative.

02 — The parts

Big thinking.
A small form factor.

A display, a cartridge and a compact reader, brought together in a handheld design. These illustrations explore the product direction as the science and engineering develop.

01

Handheld reader

A compact reader with a clear display. The familiar scale of a glucometer guides the design, while the thyroid panel shapes the work inside it.

Palm-sized concept · Integrated display

02

Test cartridge

The cartridge brings sample handling and the intended TSH, T4 and T3 assays into the reader's workflow. Developing and evaluating those measurements is central to the science ahead.

Cartridge concept · Multiplex assay development

03

Reader electronics

Sensing, data handling and power in a compact enclosure. Engineering will connect these elements with the cartridge on the way to an integrated prototype.

Reader integration · Prototype development

03 — The work ahead

From an idea
to evidence.

A compelling design is a starting point. Our path brings together assay science, reader engineering and the practical experience of using a device — with each step measured against established laboratory methods.

  1. 01

    Define the panel

    Shape the intended TSH, T4 and T3 panel around a clear testing purpose and measurable requirements.

  2. 02

    Evaluate the assay

    Study the measurement approach, sample handling and performance against established laboratory methods.

  3. 03

    Build the reader

    Bring the cartridge, electronics and handheld enclosure together in an integrated prototype.

  4. 04

    Test the experience

    Evaluate usability and the intended workflow alongside the evidence a medical device requires.

These steps describe work ahead, not completed milestones or a launch schedule.

04 — Our story

Improve thyroid care for the people living it.

Thyramed is a startup born from a patient's determination to make thyroid care better.

After a total thyroidectomy, Francisco Portela, RN, set out to improve care for thyroid patients. His experience as both a thyroid patient and a nurse gives that mission a deeply personal starting point.

In 2026, Francisco befriended geneticist Nikolaos Settas, PhD. That chance friendship became the beginning of Thyramed — a shared effort to turn lived experience into a new direction for thyroid innovation.

Today the team brings together entrepreneurship, nursing, genetics, medical device R&D, mechanical engineering, software and law, with the patient at the center of what we're building.

05 — Our team

Five perspectives.
One shared purpose.

A patient-entrepreneur, a geneticist, engineers spanning medical device R&D, mechanical design and software, and counsel helping the company take shape.

Portrait of Francisco Portela

Francisco Portela, RN

Founder · Entrepreneurship

A serial entrepreneur and registered nurse whose mission began with his own experience as a thyroid patient. He brings a patient's perspective and an understanding of the people and workflows behind care.

Portrait of Nikolaos Settas

Nikolaos Settas, PhD

Science · Genetics

A geneticist framing the questions behind a thyroid testing device: what to measure, how to develop the assay, and what evidence is needed to evaluate its performance.

Portrait of Juan Portela

Juan Portela

Engineering · Medical device R&D

A senior medical device R&D engineer connecting the assay concept with the physical reader, the cartridge interface and the practical requirements of a compact device.

Portrait of Aman Shukla

Aman Shukla

Engineering & software

A mechanical engineer and full-stack software developer connecting physical design with instrumentation — how components work together and how development measurements are captured.

Portrait of David Berger

David Berger, Esq.

Legal counsel

In-house counsel supporting the company as it develops its structure, working relationships and path forward.

06 — Scientific Advisory Board

Help shape the science ahead.

We're building a Scientific Advisory Board to guide our work in thyroid point-of-care testing, and welcome interest from experts across thyroid care, diagnostics and medical device development.

Express interest
  • Actively recruiting
  • Thyroid care & endocrinology
  • Assay science
  • Clinical evaluation
  • Diagnostic device development

07 — Looking ahead

More than one question to explore.

These concepts reflect broader interests in hormone delivery and monitoring. Handheld point-of-care testing remains our current focus.

Concept illustration of an extended-release capsule

Formulation concept · Not an available treatment

Extended-release levothyroxine capsule

An oral capsule concept exploring extended-release levothyroxine through formulation and release design — a research interest with development and evaluation ahead.

Future concept

Artificial thyroid device

A longer-term vision for thyroid innovation.

Future concept

Wearable thyroid tracking

New ways to bring thyroid monitoring into everyday life.

08 — For patients

Good information.
A little more connection.

Living with a thyroid condition comes with questions. These independent organizations offer patient education, health information and community.

Thyroid education

American Thyroid Association

Patient brochures and FAQs on thyroid conditions, function tests, treatment and surgery.

(opens in a new tab)

Health information

NIH / NIDDK

An introduction to underactive thyroid: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and research.

(opens in a new tab)

Health library

MedlinePlus

The National Library of Medicine's thyroid collection, with links to tests, treatments and handouts.

(opens in a new tab)

Patient community

PatientsLikeMe

Patient communities, shared experiences and tools for tracking your health over time.

(opens in a new tab)

Independent organizations, linked for education and connection. Links do not imply a partnership with Thyramed.

09 — Questions, answered

A clearer picture of our focus.

What is Thyramed developing?

A handheld thyroid point-of-care reader with a test cartridge, inspired by the familiar scale and simplicity of a glucometer. The intended test panel focuses on TSH, T4 and T3.

Can I buy or use the device today?

No. The device is in development and has not been cleared or approved by the FDA or any other regulator. The illustrations show the product direction; a finished device is not offered for purchase or patient use.

Does handheld mean home testing?

Handheld describes the size and form of the reader. The intended use, testing setting and sample workflow are part of development and evaluation. Home use is a possible future direction, not a capability we offer today.

Why focus on thyroid testing?

Thyramed began with Francisco's experience after a total thyroidectomy and his determination to improve care for thyroid patients. A focused test panel gives the team a concrete starting point for that mission.

What about the other device concepts?

The artificial thyroid and wearable concepts, along with the extended-release levothyroxine capsule, are longer-term interests. The handheld point-of-care reader is our current development focus.

How can I get involved?

Our collaboration priorities span scientific advice, clinical research and engineering, and our Scientific Advisory Board is actively recruiting. See collaboration areas.

Build with us

Five perspectives.
Room for more.

If your experience can help move thyroid testing forward, there's room for your perspective in the work ahead.

Scientific advisors

Expertise in thyroid care, assays or diagnostics.

Clinical collaborators

Help shape questions around real testing workflows.

Engineering partners

Explore the reader, cartridge and device development.

Get in touch