How to Check Thyroid report

Thyroid tests tell your healthcare provider how well your thyroid gland works. If a doctor is concerned about your thyroid function, they may recommend a series of blood tests to identify levels of hormones produced in the thyroid. Types of thyroid tests include blood tests, imaging tests and nuclear medicine tests. Read on to know more.

What are Thyroid Tests?

Thyroid tests are blood tests that measure the levels of thyroid hormones or thyroid-stimulating hormones (TSH) in your bloodstream. The available tests include the T3, T3RU, T4, and TSH. These tests are used to assess the functioning of your thyroid gland, a small gland located in the lower-front part of your neck. The gland plays a crucial role in regulating various bodily functions, including metabolism, energy generation, and mood.

What’s included in a thyroid report?

Common thyroid tests include:

1. TSH Test

This test measures the level of thyroid stimulating hormone in your blood. High TSH levels may indicate an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), while low TSH levels may suggest an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).

2. Free T4 Test (Free Thyroxine Test)

This test measures the level of free thyroxine, a thyroid hormone circulating inn your bloodstream. Abnormal levels can indicate thyroid disorders. If fT4 is too high, it indicates hyperthyroidism; if it is too low, it means hypothyroidism. This test is considered more accurate than Total T4.

3. Total T4

Too low total T4 indicates hypothyroidism, and too high means hyperthyroidism. Total T4 is normally tested in pregnant patients.

4. Free T3 Test (Free Triiodothyronine Test)

This test measures the level of free triiodothyronine, another thyroid hormone that is used mostly by your liver. Too low fT3 means you have hypothyroidism, and too high indicates hyperthyroidism. Free T3 test is not considered reliable as it measures only T3 floating freely in our blood.

5. Total T3 Test

This test measures all T3 in your body, even those which are unusable because it’s already bound to a protein. If the T3 levels are abnormally high, it can cause an autoimmune disorder called Grave’s disease.

6. Thyroid Antibody Test

This test checks for anti-thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies which are used to diagnose autoimmune thyroid disorders such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

7. Reverse T3 Test (rT3)

Reverse T3 is an inactive form of T3 and is produced when T4 is metabolised. Too much or too little rT3 can indicate inflammation or trauma after surgery or in case of malnutrition.

8. Thyroid Ultrasound

While this is not a blood test, a thyroid ultrasound uses sound waves to create images of your thyroid gland. It helps in evaluating the size, shape, and texture of the thyroid and detecting any abnormalities or nodules.

Result chart

Our body uses thyroid hormones for energy and proper functioning of organs and muscles. If thyroid gland produces too much or too little thyroid hormones, you will suffer from hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism respectively. Having either of the two conditions can cause hair loss as thyroid hormones help develop and maintain hair follicles. Autoimmune disorders due to thyroid dysfunction can also lead to hair loss.

Factors that can affect thyroid function tests

Several factors can affect the thyroid function tests and may lead to inaccurate results. Some of the key factors include:

• Medications

It’s crucial to inform your healthcare provider about any medications you are taking before undergoing the tests as certain medications can affect thyroid function test results.

• Timing of the Test

For accurate results, thyroid function tests are often performed in the morning after an overnight fast. This is because thyroid hormone levels can fluctuate throughout the day, TSH in particular as it follows a diurnal rhythm, with higher levels in the early morning.

• Fasting Status

If the patient hasn’t eaten for an extended period, the fasting status can affect thyroid hormone levels.

• Iodine Intake

Excessive iodine intake can interfere with thyroid function tests, especially radioactive iodine uptake tests.

• Pregnancy

Pregnancy can impact thyroid hormone levels as these women may have higher levels of thyroid-binding protein, which can affect total thyroid hormone measurements.

• Stress & Illness

Significant stress or acute illness can temporary alter thyroid hormone levels.

• Age & Gender

Thyroid hormone levels can vary with age and gender. Older adults may have different reference ranges for thyroid function tests.