Description
What is T3, T4, TSH?
The Thyroid Profile Total is a group of tests that are done together to detect or diagnose thyroid diseases. It measures the levels of the following three hormones in the blood: Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Thyroxine (T4) – Total and Triiodothyronine (T3) – Total.
Note : On the day of test, those who are on thyroid medications, should take them in the same time and dosage as prescribed by the doctor.
It should not be held for the test.
Why is T3, T4, TSH done?
The Thyroid Profile Total test is done:
- To diagnose any suspected thyroid disease (Hypothyroidism or Hyperthyroidism)
- To monitor treatment in patients with thyroid diseases
- To investigate the cause of infertility
What does T3, T4, TSH Measure?
The Thyroid Profile Total test measures the levels of the following three hormones in the blood:
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
Thyroxine (T4) – Total
TriIodothyronine (T3) – Total
The thyroid gland (a small, butterfly-shaped gland located in front of the neck) secretes the following hormones:
- Triiodothyronine (T3)
- Thyroxine (T4)
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), also called Thyrotropin is a hormone secreted into the blood by the Pituitary gland (a gland present in the brain)). It tells your thyroid gland to make and release the thyroid hormones (T3 & T4) into your blood. The thyroid gland uses the iodine gained from food to make the thyroid hormones.
The thyroid hormones are essential for growth and metabolism. If the thyroid gland produces very high amounts of T3 and T4 hormones, you may experience symptoms like weight loss, rapid heartbeat, tremors, sweating, anxiety, increased sensitivity to heat, etc. and this is known as Hyperthyroidism.
The decreased production of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) results in Hypothyroidism which may lead to weight gain, fatigue, slow heart rate, increased sensitivity to cold, depression, dry and thin hair, etc.
There is a feedback system in the body to maintain stable amounts of the thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) in the blood. When the levels of thyroid hormone decrease, the pituitary gland is stimulated to release TSH. High TSH in turn increases the release of T3 and T4 thyroid hormones from the thyroid gland and vice-versa.
T3 and T4 circulate in the blood in two forms:
1) Bound form – It is bound to proteins present in blood and this prevents it from entering the body tissues. The three main proteins in the blood that the thyroid hormones are bound to are albumin, transthyretin and Thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG), also called Thyroid hormone Binding Globulin (THBG).
2) Free form – It enters the body tissues where it is needed
The total T3 or total T4 includes both bound and free forms circulating in the blood. Hence, thyroid hormones can be measured as Free T3, Total T3, Free T4, and Total T4.
The total T3 and total T4 levels can be affected by the amount of protein available in the blood to bind to them.
Interpreting T3, T4, TSH results
What is FT3 & FT4?
A free T4 and T3 test, measures the amount of free thyroxine and Triiodothyronine, the primary hormones produced by the thyroid gland. FT4 and FT3 are biologically available in the blood and essential for growth and metabolism. The FT4 and FT3 tests helps to diagnose any suspected thyroid disease and to check the treatment efficacy in people diagnosed with thyroid condition.
Higher than normal T4 and T3 levels could indicate an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) and shows symptoms like excessive appetite, anxiety, heart palpitations, while decreased production of T4 and T3 hormone may be indicative of hypothyroidism which may cause symptoms like weight gain, fatigue, increased sensitivity to cold, and slow heart rate.
Tests Included (3 tests)
- Triiodothyronine Total
- Thyroxine – Total
- Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, Ultrasensitive
- Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
- Free Thyroxine (FT4)
- Free Triiodothyronine (FT3)
Additional information
| Provider | Healths First, Lal Pathlab, Medcis Pathlab |
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