TH-1. Thyroid Health

The TH-1. Thyroid Health panel contains 2 tests with 3 biomarkers.

Brief Description: The TH-1 Thyroid Health panel is a basic yet essential set of tests focused on evaluating the primary aspects of thyroid function. This panel includes assessments for Free T4 and Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), providing a foundational understanding of thyroid health and activity.

Collection Method: Blood Draw

Specimen Type: Serum

Test Preparation: Specifc to TSH: Specimen collection after fluorescein dye angiography should be delayed for at least 3 days. For patients on hemodialysis, specimen collection should be delayed for 2 weeks.

According to the assay manufacturer Siemens: "Samples containing fluorescein can produce falsely depressed values when tested with the Advia Centaur TSH3 Ultra assay."

When and Why the TH-1 Thyroid Health Panel May Be Ordered

Healthcare providers may order the TH-1 Thyroid Health panel for individuals presenting with symptoms indicative of thyroid dysfunction, such as fatigue, weight changes, temperature sensitivity, and mood alterations. It serves as an initial screening tool for thyroid disorders and is useful for monitoring thyroid hormone replacement therapy in patients with diagnosed conditions.

What the TH-1 Thyroid Health Panel Checks For

• T4 Free (Free Thyroxine): Measures the unbound portion of thyroxine in the bloodstream, providing insights into the thyroid's hormone production and its availability for bodily functions.
• Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH): Produced by the pituitary gland, TSH regulates thyroid activity. Abnormal levels can indicate hypothyroidism (high TSH) or hyperthyroidism (low TSH).

Getting a Deeper Understanding of Your Thyroid Health

While the TH-1 panel offers a basic overview of thyroid function, subsequent panels provide a more comprehensive evaluation:

• TH-2 Thyroid Health panel: Expands on the TH-1 by including T3 Total, T3 Free, and T4 Total, offering a broader view of thyroid hormone levels and their balance, suitable for a more detailed thyroid function assessment.

• TH-3 Thyroid Health panel: Builds upon TH-2 by adding T3 Reverse and autoimmune markers like Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies and Thyroglobulin Antibodies, crucial for diagnosing and managing autoimmune thyroid diseases.

• TH-4 Thyroid Health panel: The most comprehensive, TH-4 includes all tests in TH-3 and introduces TSH Receptor Binding Antibody and Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulin, providing an in-depth analysis of thyroid autoimmunity and function, ideal for complex thyroid disorders.

Conditions or Diseases the TH-1 Thyroid Health Panel Can Check For

The TH-1 Thyroid Health panel is primarily used to screen for and monitor basic thyroid function, particularly in evaluating hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. TSH and Free T4 levels can help diagnose these conditions and guide treatment decisions.

Use of TH-1 Thyroid Health Panel Results by Healthcare Professionals

Healthcare professionals analyze the TH-1 Thyroid Health panel results to determine if the thyroid gland is functioning properly, diagnose thyroid disorders, and adjust thyroid hormone replacement dosages. TSH and Free T4 levels provide crucial information for these purposes.

The TH-1 Thyroid Health panel serves as an essential starting point for evaluating thyroid function, offering valuable insights into the gland's activity through TSH and Free T4 levels. For individuals requiring a more detailed thyroid assessment or those with complex thyroid conditions, the TH-2, TH-3, and TH-4 panels provide expanded testing options, including comprehensive thyroid hormone profiles and autoimmune markers, enabling healthcare providers to tailor treatment strategies more effectively and manage thyroid health comprehensively.

We advise having your results reviewed by a licensed medical healthcare professional for proper interpretation of your results.