Thyroid Testing Example Results – Testing.com

Basic Thyroid Package Test Results

Following is a sample of the results of the Basic Thyroid Package blood test. The reference interval indicates the normal ranges and the flag indicates a result outside of those ranges. Both LabCorp and Quest Diagnostics measure T4 levels using micrograms per Liter for their reference ranges.

• The thyroid stimulating hormone or TSH signals the thyroid to perform its job and burn calories.
  • Low TSH results may indicate hyperthyroidism.
  • Elevated TSH results may indicate hypothyroidism.
• T3 uptake is used to estimate the amount of TBG (Thyroxine-Binding Globulin) in the blood and how much T3 and T4 is available for the body to use.
  • T3 uptake directly affects the T3 and T4 levels.
• T4 circulates in the blood and influences how other organs and the heart function in the body.
• • Elevated levels of T4 may indicate hyperthyroidism or thyroiditis. Abnormal elevated results may also be caused by too much iodine, high levels of protein in the blood, or too much thyroid medication.
  • Low levels of T4 may indicate hypothyroidism, iodine deficiency, or possible pituitary gland disorder.
• T7 is a calculated measure of T4 x T3U (T3 Uptake)

LabCorp Example

TSH reference range: 0.450 to 4.500 uIU/mL. Thyroid Panel: Thyroxine (T4): reference range 4.5 to 12.0 ug/dL; T3 Uptake: 24-39%; Free Thyroxine Index (T7): 1.2 to 4.9.

Quest Diagnostics Example

TSH reference range: Adults 20 years and older 0.450 to 4.500 uIU/mL Pregnancy reference ranges: Frist Trimester 0.26 to 2.66 mIU/L; Second Trimester 0.55 to 2.73 mIU/L; Third Trimester 0.43 to 2.91 mIU/L Thyroid Panel: Thyroxine (T4): reference range 4.5 to 12.0 mcg/dL; T3 Uptake: 22-35%; Free Thyroxine Index (T7): 1.4 to 3. 8.

Expanded Thyroid Package Test Results

Following is a sample of the results of the Expanded Thyroid Package blood test. The reference interval indicates the normal ranges and the flag indicates a result outside of those ranges. Both LabCorp and Quest Diagnostics measure T4 levels using micrograms per Liter for their reference ranges.

• The thyroid stimulating hormone or TSH signals the thyroid to perform its job and burn calories.
  • Low TSH results may indicate hyperthyroidism.
  • Elevated TSH results may indicate hypothyroidism.
• T3 uptake is used to estimate the amount of TBG (Thyroxine-Binding Globulin) in the blood and how much T3 and T4 is available for the body to use.
  • T3 uptake directly affects the T3 and T4 levels.
• T4 circulates in the blood and influences how other organs and the heart function in the body.
  • Elevated levels of T4 may indicate hyperthyroidism or thyroiditis. Abnormal elevated results may also be caused by too much iodine, high levels of protein in the blood, or too much thyroid medication.
  • Low levels of T4 may indicate hypothyroidism, iodine deficiency, or possible pituitary gland disorder.
• T7 is a calculated measure of T4 x T3U (T3 Uptake)
• Free T3 is used to help diagnose thyroid disorders, especially hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid).
  • Elevated Free T3 results may be an indicator of hyperthyroidism
  • Low Free T3 result may be an indicator of hypothyroidism
• Free T4 is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland. T4 helps regulate metabolism and body temperature.
  • Elevated Free T4 results may indicate hyperthyroidism.
  • Low Free T4 results may indicate hypothyroidism.

LabCorp Example

TSH reference range: 0.450 to 4.500 uIU/mL. Thyroid Panel: Thyroxine (T4): reference range 4.5 to 12.0 ug/dL; T3 Uptake: 24-39%; Free Thyroxine Index (T7): 1.2 to 4.9; Thyroxine T4 Free: reference range 0.82 to 1.77 ng/dL; Triiodothyronine (T3) Free: reference range 2. 0 to 4.4 pg/mL.

Quest Diagnostics Example

TSH reference range: Adults 20 years and older 0.450 to 4.500 uIU/mL. Pregnancy reference ranges: Frist Trimester 0.26 to 2.66 mIU/L; Second Trimester 0.55 to 2.73 mIU/L; Third Trimester 0.43 to 2.91 mIU/L. Thyroid Panel: Thyroxine (T4): reference range 4.5 to 12.0 mcg/dL; T3 Uptake: 22-35%; Free Thyroxine Index (T7): 1.4 to 3.8; Thyroxine T4 Free: reference range 0.8 to 1.8 ng/dL; Triiodothyronine (T3) Free: reference range 2.3 to 4.2 pg/mL.

Thyroid Profile Test Results

Following is a sample of the results of the Thyroid Profile (T3T4T7) blood test. The reference interval indicates the normal ranges and the flag indicates a result outside of those ranges. Both LabCorp and Quest Diagnostics measure T4 levels using micrograms per Liter for their reference ranges. A Thyroid Profile (T3T4T7) blood test is a useful test for anyone suspecting thyroid problems. This blood test can help explain problems associated with fatigue, metabolism, and general feelings of ill health. The Thyroid Profile blood test is also used to monitor hormone levels for individuals that are taking thyroid supplements.

• T3 uptake is used to estimate the amount of TBG (Thyroxine-Binding Globulin) in the blood and how much T3 and T4 is available for the body to use.
  • T3 uptake directly affects the T3 and T4 levels.
• T4 circulates in the blood and influences how other organs and the heart function in the body.
  • Elevated levels of T4 may indicate hyperthyroidism or thyroiditis. Abnormal elevated results may also be caused by too much iodine, high levels of protein in the blood, or too much thyroid medication.
  • Low levels of T4 may indicate hypothyroidism, iodine deficiency, or possible pituitary gland disorder.
• T7 is a calculated measure of T4 x T3U (T3 Uptake)

LabCorp Example

Thyroid Panel: Thyroxine (T4): reference range 4.5 to 12.0 ug/dL; T3 Uptake: 24-39%; Free Thyroxine Index (T7): 1. 2 to 4.9.

Quest Diagnostics Example

Thyroid Panel: Thyroxine (T4): reference range 4.5 to 12.0 mcg/dL; T3 Uptake: 22-35%; Free Thyroxine Index (T7): 1.4 to 3.8.

Iodine Test Results

Following is a sample of the results of the Iodine blood test. The reference interval indicates the normal ranges and the flag indicates a result outside of those ranges. Too little or too much iodine in the blood may contribute to possible Thyroid conditions such as Hyperthyroidism or Hypothyroidism. Both LabCorp and Quest Diagnostics measure Iodine levels using micrograms per Liter for their reference ranges.

LabCorp Example

Iodine reference range: 40.0 to 92.0 ug/L. If your Iodine result is less than 20ug/L it will only show on the result as <20 ug/L.

Quest Diagnostics Example

Iodine reference range: 52 to 109 mcg/L.

Parathyroid Hormone () with Calcium Test Results

Following is a sample of the results of the PTH with Calcium blood test. The reference interval indicates the normal ranges and the flag indicates a result outside of those ranges. The Parathyroid helps regulate calcium levels. This test will provide valuable information as to how the Parathyroid is functioning.

• High levels of PTH with low calcium levels may be an indicator that the Parathyroid glands are functioning properly.
  • Other tests such as Vitamin D, phosphorus and magnesium levels may be needed to determine if they are affecting your calcium levels.
• High levels of PTH with high calcium levels may be an indicator of hyperparathyroidism.

LabCorp Example

Calcium reference range: 8.7 to 10.2 mg/dL. PTH reference range: 15-65 pg/mL. The chart below the results may be used as a guideline for Interpretation of the PTH and Calcium results. Both the PTH and Calcium results are used for this interpretation.

Quest Diagnostics Example

Calcium reference range: 8. 6 to 10.2 mg/dL. PTH reference range: 14-64 pg/mL. The chart between the results may be used as a guideline for Interpretation of the PTH and Calcium results. Both the PTH and Calcium results are used for this interpretation.

Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) Test Results

Following is a sample of the results of the PTH blood test. The reference interval indicates the normal ranges and the flag indicates a result outside of those ranges. The Parathyroid helps regulate calcium levels. This test will provide valuable information as to how the Parathyroid is functioning.

• High levels of PTH with low calcium levels may be an indicator that the Parathyroid glands are functioning properly.
  • Other tests such as Vitamin D, phosphorus and magnesium levels may be needed to determine if they are affecting your calcium levels.
• High levels of PTH with high calcium levels may be an indicator of hyperparathyroidism.

LabCorp Example

PTH reference range: 15-65 pg/mL.

Quest Diagnostics Example

PTH reference range: 14-64 pg/mL. The chart below the result may be used as a guideline for interpretation of the PTH result.

Reverse Triiodothyronine (T3) Test Results

Following is a sample of the results of the Reverse T3 blood test. The reference interval indicates the normal ranges and the flag indicates a result outside of those ranges. Reverse T3 is the mirrored image of T3. Reverse T3 is the nonactive hormone where T3 is the active hormone.

• Reverse T3 can inhibit the action of the T3 hormone causing symptoms of hypothyroidism.
• Elevated Reverse T3 may be an indicator of hypothyroidism at a cellular level.

LabCorp Example

Reverse T3 reference range: 9.2 to 24.1 ng/dL.

Quest Diagnostics Example

Reverse T3 reference range: 8 to 25 ng/dL.

Free Triiodothyronine (T3) Test Results

Following are sample results of the Free T4 blood test. The reference intervals indicate the normal ranges and the flag indicates a result outside of those ranges. Free triiodothyronine (free T3) tests may be used to help evaluate and asses thyroid function. It is primarily used evaluate for hyperthyroidism or to monitor current treatment for a thyroid condition. Free T3 and Total T3 tests are commonly ordered after a TSH blood test is found to be abnormal, especially if the Free T4 test is not elevated.

• Elevated Free T3 results may be an indicator of hyperthyroidism
• Low Free T3 result may be an indicator of hypothyroidism

LabCorp Example

Free T3 reference range: 2.0 to 4.4 pg/mL.

Quest Diagnostics Example

Free T3 reference range: 2.3 to 4.2 pg/mL.

Triiodothyronine (T3) Total Test Results

Following are sample results of the Total T3 blood test. The reference intervals indicate the normal ranges and the flag indicates a result outside of those ranges. The Total T3 test is commonly ordered with other Thyroid tests such as TSH and T4 to obtain a larger picture as to how your thyroid is working.

• Elevated levels of T3 may indicate hyperthyroidism or Grave’s disease.
• Low levels of T3 may indicate hypothyroidism.
• Low T3 levels may also be caused by starvation, chronic illness or hospitalization.

LabCorp Example

Total T3 reference range: 71 to 180 ng/dL.

Quest Diagnostics Example

Total T3 reference range: 76 to 181 ng/dL.

Free Thyroxine (T4) Test Results

Following are sample results of the Free T4 blood test. The reference intervals indicate the normal ranges and the flag indicates a result outside of those ranges. Free thyroxine (free T4) tests may be used to help evaluate and asses thyroid function for thyroid conditions such as hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Free T4 tests are commonly ordered after a TSH blood test is found to be abnormal.

• Elevated Free T4 results may indicate hyperthyroidism.
• Low Free T4 results may indicate hypothyroidism.

LabCorp Example

Free T4 reference range: 0.82 to 1.77 ng/dL.

Quest Diagnostics Example

Free T4 reference range: 0.8 to 1.8 ng/dL.

Thyroglobulin Antibody Test Results

Following are sample results of the Thyroglobulin Antibody blood test. The reference intervals indicate the normal ranges and the flag indicates a result outside of those ranges. The Thyroglobulin Antibody test (AntiThyroglobulin) may be used as a tumor marker and to evaluate treatment of thyroid cancer. The test may also be ordered when an individual has symptoms of hyperthyroidism. The test is useful in monitoring the effectiveness of treatment in individuals with Graves Disease, before and after surgical thyroid removal, and other thyroid cancer treatments. This test is commonly ordered with a TSH test.

• Elevated levels of the thyroglobulin antibodies may indicate Graves disease or thyroiditis.
• Decreasing levels of thyroglobulin antibodies in individuals treated for Graves disease, indicates a response to the treatment.

LabCorp Example

Thyroglobulin Antibody reference range: 0.0 to 0.9 IU/mL.

Quest Diagnostics Example

Thyroglobulin Antibody reference range: < or = 1 IU/mL.

Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) Antibodies Test Results

Following are sample results of the Thyroid Peroxidase Antibody (TPO) blood test. The reference intervals indicate the normal ranges and the flag indicates a result outside of those ranges. The TPO antibody test is the most common test for autoimmune thyroid disease; it can be detected in Graves disease or Hashimoto thyroiditis.

• Elevated TPO results may indicate a thyroid autoimmune disorder such as Graves disease or Hashimoto thyroiditis.
• Elevated TPO levels may also indicate possible thyroid cancer or other autoimmune disease.

LabCorp Example

Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies reference range: 0 to 34 IU/mL.

Quest Diagnostics Example

Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies reference range: <9 IU/mL.

Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulin (TSI) Test Results

Following are sample results of the Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulin (TSI) blood test. The reference intervals indicate the normal ranges and the flag indicates a result outside of those ranges.

• High levels of TSI in the blood can indicate the presence of Graves’ disease, which is an autoimmune disorder that affects the thyroid gland. Grave’s disease may lead to or be the cause of hyperthyroidism.
• TSI levels may also reveal other thyroid disorders such as Hashimoto’s, which is one of the most common causes of hypothyroidism.

LabCorp Example

Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulin reference range: 0 to 139.

Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone () Test Results

Following are sample results of the Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) blood test. The reference intervals indicate the normal ranges and the flag indicates a result outside of those ranges. A TSH blood test is commonly ordered when thyroid problems are suspected. Possible indications of thyroid problems may include weight loss, weight gain, feelings of extreme hot or cold, tiredness, rapid heart rate and irregular menstrual cycles.

• Low levels of TSH in the blood may indicate an overactive thyroid gland, thyroid gland, commonly referred to as hyperthyroidism.
• High levels of TSH in the blood may indicate an underactive thyroid gland, commonly referred to as hypothyroidism.

LabCorp Example

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone reference range: 0.450 to 4.500 uIU/L.

Quest Diagnostics Example

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone reference range: , adults 20 years and older 0. 450 to 4.500 uIU/mL. Pregnancy reference ranges: Frist Trimester 0.26 to 2.66 mIU/L; Second Trimester 0.55 to 2.73 mIU/L; Third Trimester 0.43 to 2.91 mIU/L.

Thyroxine (T4) Total Test Results

Following are sample results of the Total T4 blood test. The reference intervals indicate the normal ranges and the flag indicates a result outside of those ranges. Both LabCorp and Quest Diagnostics measure T4 levels using micrograms per Liter for their reference ranges.

• Elevated levels of T4 may indicate hyperthyroidism or thyroiditis. Abnormal elevated results may also be caused by too much iodine, high levels of protein in the blood, or too much thyroid medication.
• Low levels of T4 may indicate hypothyroidism, iodine deficiency, or possible pituitary gland disorder.

LabCorp Example

Total T4 reference range: 4.5 to 12.0 ug/dL.

Quest Diagnostics Example

Total T4 reference range: 4. 5 to 12.0 mcg/dL.

TSH and Free T4 Test Results

Following are sample results of the TSH and Free T4 blood test. The reference intervals indicate the normal ranges and the flag indicates a result outside of those ranges. A TSH blood test is commonly ordered when thyroid problems are suspected. Free thyroxine (free T4) tests may be used to help evaluate and asses thyroid function for thyroid conditions such as hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.

• Low levels of TSH in the blood may indicate an overactive thyroid gland, thyroid gland, commonly referred to as hyperthyroidism.
• High levels of TSH in the blood may indicate an underactive thyroid gland, commonly referred to as hypothyroidism.
• Elevated Free T4 results may indicate hyperthyroidism.
• Low Free T4 results may indicate hypothyroidism.

LabCorp Example

TSH reference range: 0.450 to 4.500 uIU/mL. Free T4 (Direct): reference range . 093 to 1.60 ng/dL.

Quest Diagnostics Example

TSH reference range: 0.40 to 4.50 mIU/L. Free T4 reference range: 0.8 to 1.8 ng/dL.

Thyroid Tests – NIDDK

Health care professionals use thyroid tests to check how well your thyroid is working and to find the cause of problems such as hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your neck that makes two thyroid hormones: thyroxine (T₄) and triiodothyronine (T₃). Thyroid hormones control how the body uses energy, so they affect nearly every organ in your body, even your heart.

The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in your neck.

Thyroid tests help health care professionals diagnose thyroid diseases such as

• hyperthyroidism—when thyroid hormone levels are too high
• Graves’ disease, the most common cause of hyperthyroidism
• hypothyroidism—when thyroid hormones levels are too low
• Hashimoto’s disease, of the most common cause of hypothyroidism
• thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer

Your doctor will start with blood tests and may also order imaging tests.

What blood tests do doctors use to check thyroid function?

Doctors may order one or more blood tests to check your thyroid function. Tests may include thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), T₄, T₃, and thyroid antibody tests.

Thyroid blood tests check your thyroid function.

For these tests, a health care professional will draw blood from your arm and send it to a lab for testing. Your doctor will talk to you about your test results.

TSH test

Health care professionals usually check the amount of TSH in your blood first. TSH is a hormone made in the pituitary gland that tells the thyroid how much T₄ and T₃ to make.

A high TSH level most often means you have hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid. This means that your thyroid isn’t making enough hormone. As a result, the pituitary keeps making and releasing TSH into your blood.

A low TSH level usually means you have hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid. This means that your thyroid is making too much hormone, so the pituitary stops making and releasing TSH into your blood.

If the TSH test results are not normal, you will need at least one other test to help find the cause of the problem.

T

₄ tests

A high blood level of T₄ may mean you have hyperthyroidism. A low level of T₄ may mean you have hypothyroidism.

In some cases, high or low T₄ levels may not mean you have thyroid problems. If you are pregnant or are taking oral contraceptives, your thyroid hormone levels will be higher. Severe illness or using corticosteroids—medicines to treat asthma, arthritis, skin conditions, and other health problems—can lower T₄ levels. These conditions and medicines change the amount of proteins in your blood that “bind,” or attach, to T₄. Bound T₄ is kept in reserve in the blood until it’s needed. “Free” T₄ is not bound to these proteins and is available to enter body tissues. Because changes in binding protein levels don’t affect free T₄ levels, many healthcare professionals prefer to measure free T₄.

T

₃ test

If your health care professional thinks you may have hyperthyroidism even though your T₄ level is normal, you may have a T₃ test to confirm the diagnosis. Sometimes T₄ is normal yet T₃ is high, so measuring both T₄ and T₃ levels can be useful in diagnosing hyperthyroidism.

Thyroid antibody tests

Measuring levels of thyroid antibodies may help diagnose an autoimmune thyroid disorder such as Graves’ disease—the most common cause of hyperthyroidism—and Hashimoto’s disease—the most common cause of hypothyroidism. Thyroid antibodies are made when your immune system attacks the thyroid gland by mistake. Your health care professional may order thyroid antibody tests if the results of other blood tests suggest thyroid disease.

What imaging tests do doctors use to diagnose and find the cause of thyroid disease?

Your health care professional may order one or more imaging tests to diagnose and find the cause of thyroid disease. A trained technician usually does these tests in your doctor’s office, outpatient center, or hospital. A radiologist, a doctor who specializes in medical imaging, reviews the images and sends a report for your health care professional to discuss with you.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound of the thyroid is most often used to look for, or more closely at, thyroid nodules. Thyroid nodules are lumps in your neck. Ultrasound can help your doctor tell if the nodules are more likely to be cancerous.

For an ultrasound, you will lie on an exam table and a technician will run a device called a transducer over your neck. The transducer bounces safe, painless sound waves off your neck to make pictures of your thyroid. The ultrasound usually takes around 30 minutes.

During an ultrasound, a transducer bounces sound waves off the neck to make images of the thyroid.

Thyroid scan

Health care professionals use a thyroid scan to look at the size, shape, and position of the thyroid gland. This test uses a small amount of radioactive iodine to help find the cause of hyperthyroidism and check for thyroid nodules. Your health care professional may ask you to avoid foods high in iodine, such as kelp, or medicines containing iodine for a week before the test.

For the scan, a technician injects a small amount of radioactive iodine or a similar substance into your vein. You also may swallow the substance in liquid or capsule form. The scan takes place 30 minutes after an injection, or up to 24 hours after you swallow the substance, so your thyroid has enough time to absorb it.

During the scan, you will lie on an exam table while a special camera takes pictures of your thyroid. The scan usually takes 30 minutes or less.

Thyroid nodules that make too much thyroid hormone show up clearly in the pictures. Radioactive iodine that shows up over the whole thyroid could mean you have Graves’ disease.

Even though only a small amount of radiation is needed for a thyroid scan and it is thought to be safe, you should not have this test if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Radioactive iodine uptake test

A radioactive iodine uptake test, also called a thyroid uptake test, can help check thyroid function and find the cause of hyperthyroidism. The thyroid “takes up” iodine from the blood to make thyroid hormones, which is why this is called an uptake test. Your health care professional may ask you to avoid foods high in iodine, such as kelp, or medicines containing iodine for a week before the test.

For this test, you will swallow a small amount of radioactive iodine in liquid or capsule form. During the test, you will sit in a chair while a technician places a device called a gamma probe in front of your neck, near your thyroid gland. The probe measures how much radioactive iodine your thyroid takes up from your blood. Measurements are often taken 4 to 6 hours after you swallow the radioactive iodine and again at 24 hours. The test takes only a few minutes.

If your thyroid collects a large amount of radioactive iodine, you may have Graves’ disease, or one or more nodules that make too much thyroid hormone. You may have this test at the same time as a thyroid scan.

Even though the test uses a small amount of radiation and is thought to be safe, you should not have this test if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

What tests do doctors use if I have a thyroid nodule?

If your health care professional finds a nodule or lump in your neck during a physical exam or on thyroid imaging tests, you may have a fine needle aspiration biopsy to see if the lump is cancerous or noncancerous.

For this test, you will lie on an exam table and slightly bend your neck backward. A technician will clean your neck with an antiseptic and may use medicine to numb the area. An endocrinologist who treats people with endocrine gland problems like thyroid disease, or a specially trained radiologist, will place a needle through the skin and use ultrasound to guide the needle to the nodule. Small samples of tissue from the nodule will be sent to a lab for testing. This procedure usually takes less than 30 minutes. Your health care professional will talk with you about the test result when it is available.

Thyroid function tests | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

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This resource provides information about thyroid function tests (TFTs). Thyroid function tests are blood tests that check if your blood levels of thyroid hormone are high.

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Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)

Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) is produced and secreted by the pituitary gland (a gland in the brain). This hormone stimulates the thyroid gland.

TSH Hormone Levels

Blood levels of TSH indicate whether the thyroid gland is overactive or underactive. If you have had your thyroid removed, your healthcare provider will still check your TSH levels. Its level will indicate whether you are receiving a thyroid hormone replacement drug in the right dosage.

Normal TSH values ​​vary from laboratory to laboratory. At MSK, the standard is between 0.60 and 4.8 milli-international units per liter (mIU/L).

• If your TSH level is low, you have hyperthyroidism. This means that your thyroid is overactive.
• When TSH is high, you are in a state of hypothyroidism. This means an underactive thyroid gland.

For people who do not have thyroid cancer, the main concern is to keep the TSH level within the normal range.

For some people with thyroid cancer, the main challenge is to keep their TSH levels below normal. This usually happens within the first few years after diagnosis and depends on the type of cancer you have. This may reduce the risk of cancer coming back. Discuss with your healthcare provider which level is right for you.

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Free Thyroxine (FT4)

Free Thyroxine (FT4) Test is another blood test that measures thyroid function. Its results tell us how much “free” or available thyroid hormone is in your blood. Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) has a guideline for FT4 of 0.7 to 1.5 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL).

• For people who do not have thyroid cancer, the main challenge is to keep the FT4 level within the normal range.
• In thyroid cancer, FT4 levels may approach the upper limit of the normal range.

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Thyroglobulin

Thyroglobulin is a protein in the blood that is produced by thyroid cells. We measure your thyroglobulin levels to monitor your cancer after treatment. If your thyroglobulin levels are elevated, you may need to have more tests and follow-up to make sure the cancer hasn’t returned.

In medullary thyroid cancer, other tests are also used to control the disease. The health care provider will provide you with more information.

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Date last updated

Thursday, June 16, 2022

SANAS Medical Center in Vladivostok

The role of hormones in human life is great. They control the functioning of vital organs. Violation of their balance leads to malfunctions in the body and various diseases that can be asymptomatic at first, and then lead to very serious complications if tests are not taken on time.

These signs indicate that the thyroid gland needs to be checked:

• Enlarged lymph nodes

• Decreased libido or potency in men

• Diseases of the heart

• Depression

• Menstrual irregularity in women

• Hair loss

• Developmental delay (mental and physical in children).

The thyroid gland produces two hormones: thyroxine and triiodothyronine. They are responsible for many vital functions: they regulate the activity of the brain, the nervous and cardiovascular systems, the gastrointestinal tract, affect reproductive function, the functioning of the mammary and sex glands, and much more.

To find out if everything is in order with your thyroid gland, you need to pass only one test – TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone). It is he who controls the thyroid gland, therefore it is called regulating. It stimulates the synthesis of other hormones – triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4).

The level of TSH in the blood can fluctuate depending on the time of day: at 2-4 am the level of this hormone is very high, while the minimum level occurs around 17-18 pm.

To get an accurate picture, the TSH test should be taken in the morning on an empty stomach. On the eve, you should stop smoking, drinking alcohol, eating a lot of food, and you should also avoid physical and emotional overload.

If the TSH is normal, the gland is working well. If its level is elevated, it means that the thyroid gland has malfunctioned – hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.

Hypothyroidism is the most common disease and dysfunction of the thyroid gland. The reason for this is the lack of iodine in the body. The inability of the thyroid to produce enough hormones (T4 and T3) is the most common cause of hypothyroidism, referred to as primary hypothyroidism. Secondary hypothyroidism is much less common.

Table of thyroid hormones.

Complaints of decreased TSH hormones:

• Chilliness

• Frequent fatigue, drowsiness, depression

• Headaches, muscle and joint pains

• Visual disturbances, ringing in the ears

• Low temperature

• Puffiness

• Hoarse voice

• Sweating

Some symptoms of hypothyroidism can develop so slowly that the disease can go on for a long time without being diagnosed.

Low TSH can also be caused by diet, stress, inflammation of the pituitary gland.

Signs of increased levels of “thyroid” hormones – hyperthyroidism or thyrotoxicosis:

• Distracted attention, anxiety, insomnia

• High blood pressure and pulse

• Weight loss with good appetite

• Hair loss

• Heart palpitations

• Shortness of breath

Imbalance of TSH and other important hormones can seriously affect a person’s life. It needs to be kept in order. Check your hormone levels at least once a year as a preventive measure, even when there is nothing to worry about. After all, it is better to prevent an ailment in advance than to treat the disease itself.