Thyroid Health - Basic Lab Panel Most Popular

The following is a list of what is included in the item above. Click the test(s) below to view what biomarkers are measured along with an explanation of what the biomarker is measuring.

T3 Uptake

T3 uptake is also known as T3 Resin Uptake (T3RU) or Thyroid Uptake. It estimates how much thyroid hormone-binding proteins are available in the blood through a calculation based on levels of T3 or T4 added to a person's blood specimen.

Also known as: T4 Thyroxine Total

Free T4 Index (T7)

FTI stands for the Free Thyroxine Index and is also sometimes referred to as T7. It is a calculated value determined from the T3 uptake test and total T4 test and provides an estimate of the level of free T4 in the blood.

T4 (Thyroxine), Total

This test measures the amount of thyroxine, or T4, in the blood. T4 is one of two major hormones produced by the thyroid gland. The total T4 test is used to help diagnose hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. It is a useful test but can be affected by the amount of protein available in the blood to bind to the hormone.

Also known as: Free T4, FT4, T4 Free

T4, Free

The free T4 test is not affected by protein levels. Since free T4 is the active form of thyroxine, the free T4 test is may be a more accurate reflection of thyroid hormone function.

Also known as: Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Thyrotropin

TSH

A TSH test is a lab test that measures the amount of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in your blood. TSH is produced by the pituitary gland. It tells the thyroid gland to make and release thyroid hormones into the blood.

TSH

TSH

A TSH test is a lab test that measures the amount of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in your blood. TSH is produced by the pituitary gland. It tells the thyroid gland to make and release thyroid hormones into the blood.

TSH

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The Thyroid Health - Basic Lab Panel panel contains 4 tests with 8 biomarkers.

Brief Description: The Thyroid Health - Basic Lab panel is a diagnostic panel designed to evaluate thyroid function and identify potential thyroid disorders. It comprises four essential tests: T3 Uptake, T4 Total, T4 Free, and Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH). This panel provides a snapshot of how well the thyroid gland is functioning by measuring the levels of thyroid hormones in the blood and the pituitary gland's response to these hormone levels.

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 Thyroid Health - Basic Lab Panel May Be Ordered

The Thyroid Health - Basic Lab panel is typically ordered when symptoms suggest thyroid dysfunction, such as unexpected weight changes, mood swings, abnormal energy levels, or irregularities in heart rate. It is also commonly used in routine health check-ups to screen for thyroid issues that might not yet have manifested noticeable symptoms. This panel helps in the early detection and management of thyroid-related conditions.

What the Thyroid Health - Basic Lab Panel Checks For

  1. T3 Uptake: This test helps evaluate the amount of proteins available in the blood to bind thyroid hormones. It's often used to estimate the levels of thyroxine-binding globulin and can indirectly assess thyroid function.

  2. T4 Total: Measures the total amount of thyroxine (T4) in the blood, including both the portion bound to proteins and the free, active form. This gives an overall picture of the thyroid's output.

  3. T4 Free: Specifically measures the free, unbound thyroxine in the bloodstream, which is biologically active and available to the body's tissues, providing a direct indication of thyroid function.

  4. Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH): Produced by the pituitary gland, TSH regulates the production of thyroid hormones. TSH levels are used to evaluate the body's overall thyroid status and can indicate an overactive (hyperthyroidism) or underactive (hypothyroidism) thyroid.

Getting a Deeper Understanding of Your Thyroid's Health

While the Basic Lab panel offers essential insights into thyroid health, additional tests available in the Basic Plus, Advanced, and Comprehensive panels can provide a more detailed understanding of thyroid function and potential disorders.

  1. Thyroid Health - Basic Plus Lab Panel: Adds T3 Total and T3 Free tests to the Basic Lab panel, offering a more comprehensive look at the active thyroid hormones in the body. This panel is better suited for diagnosing conditions where T3 levels are particularly relevant, such as hyperthyroidism or T3 thyrotoxicosis.

  2. Thyroid Health - Advanced Lab Panel: Includes all tests from the Basic Plus panel and adds T3 Reverse, Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies, and Thyroglobulin Antibodies. This panel is ideal for individuals with suspected autoimmune thyroid diseases like Hashimoto's thyroiditis or Graves' disease, providing insights into the autoimmune aspect of thyroid disorders.

  3. Thyroid Health - Comprehensive Lab Panel: The most extensive panel, it encompasses all tests from the Advanced Lab panel and introduces Thyroxine Binding Globulin and Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulin tests. This panel offers the most thorough assessment of thyroid health, including thyroid hormone transport and autoimmunity, making it suitable for complex cases with multiple thyroid-related issues.

Conditions Detected by the Thyroid Health - Basic Lab Panel

The Basic Lab panel can detect primary thyroid disorders such as hypothyroidism, indicated by high TSH and low T4 levels, and hyperthyroidism, suggested by low TSH and high T4 or T3 levels. It's also capable of identifying secondary thyroid issues related to pituitary function.

Utilization of Thyroid Health - Basic Lab Panel Results by Healthcare Professionals

Healthcare professionals use the results of the Basic Lab panel to diagnose, monitor, and manage thyroid disorders. Abnormal results may prompt further testing, medication adjustments, or lifestyle recommendations. For example, elevated TSH and low T4 levels may indicate hypothyroidism, leading to thyroid hormone replacement therapy.

The Thyroid Health - Basic Lab panel serves as a crucial tool in the initial assessment and ongoing monitoring of thyroid function. By providing key insights into the balance of thyroid hormones, this panel assists healthcare professionals in identifying thyroid disorders early on, enabling timely and effective treatment to maintain optimal health and well-being.

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

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