The Various Types Of Thyroid Tests And Which One Is Best For You
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the front of the neck. It secretes hormones that influence almost every cell, organ, and function in the body. That’s why an imbalance in thyroid hormone levels can cause widespread symptoms.
There are four main types of Thyroid Test in Dombivli East used to diagnose these imbalances:
➢ TSH test
➢ Free T4 test
➢ Free T3 test
➢ Thyroid antibodies test
Which one is best for you? Keep reading to find out.
TSH Test
The TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) test is usually the first one ordered when a patient presents with symptoms of a thyroid problem. That’s because it’s the most sensitive indicator of thyroid dysfunction. TSH is produced by the pituitary gland in response to changes in circulating levels of thyroid hormones. So, when levels of thyroid hormones drop, the pituitary gland releases more TSH in an attempt to stimulate the thyroid gland to produce more thyroid hormone. Conversely, when levels of thyroid hormones rise, the pituitary gland slows down its release of TSH. Because of this feedback loop between the pituitary and thyroid glands, changes in TSH usually precede changes in circulating levels of thyroid hormone by several weeks. For this reason, the TSH test is considered to be more reliable than other tests when diagnosing early stages of hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. However, it’s important to note that the reference range for what is considered “normal” varies from lab to lab. So, it’s important to discuss your results with your healthcare provider to determine if they fall within the reference range for your particular lab.
Free T4 Test
The free T4 (FT4) test measures the amount of FT4 present in your blood. FT4 is the main form of thyroxine, which is one of two main hormones produced by the thyroid gland (the other being triiodothyronine or T3). While about 80% of circulating thyroxine is bound to proteins like globulin and albumin, only a small amount (about 0.03%) exists as FT4. This “free” form is able to penetrate cells and exert its biological effects without being bound to proteins. Because FT4 has a longer half-life than T3 (seven days compared to three days), it’s considered to be a better indicator of long-term trends in thyroid function than the free T3 (FT3) test (discussed below).
Free T3 Test
The free T3 (FT3) test measures the amount of FT3 present in your blood. As mentioned above, FT3 is the active form of triiodothyronine and is responsible for most of triiodothyronine’s effects on tissue metabolism. Unlike FT4, which has a relatively long half-life, FT3 has a short half-life and its circulating levels fluctuate rapidly in response to changes in dietary iodine intake or stress levels. For this reason, some experts believe that measuring FT3 may provide a more accurate assessment of current tissue metabolism than measuring FT4.
Thyroid Antibodies Test
The presence of autoimmune antibodies against one or more components of the thyroids indicates that an autoimmune process targeting the thyroid is present and could potentially lead to damage or destruction of the gland (a condition known as Hashimoto’s disease). There are three main types of autoantibodies that can be measured: anti-TPO antibodies, anti-thyroglobulin antibodies, and anti-Tg antibody.
Conclusion:
A variety of tests are available to assess thyroid function and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. The best way to determine which Thyroid Test in Dombivli East is best for you is to discuss your symptoms and concerns with your healthcare provider so they can order the appropriate tests based on your individual needs.
