THYROID Panel (TSH + Free T3 + Free T4)

Thyroid hormones regulate our body's metabolism and influence virtually every organ system in the body. They tell organs how fast or slow they should work. Thyroid hormones also regulate the body's consumption of oxygen and production of heat. Thyroid problems, such as an overactive or underactive thyroid, can severely affect metabolism. This panel includes comprehensive testing of the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in addition to free thyroxine (T4) and free triiodothyronine (T3). When the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormone, the body uses energy at a slower pace than it should. This condition, underactive thyroid, is called hypothyroidism.  Panel includes:

• TSH
• Free T3
• Free T4

 You can add reverse T3 and thyroid AB and anti-TPO antibodies by adding those tests to your cart.

Lab Test Collection Instructions

Dietary supplements containing biotin may interfere in assays and may skew results to be either falsely high or falsely low. For patients receiving the recommended daily doses of biotin, draw samples at least 8 hours following the last biotin supplementation. For patients on mega-doses of biotin supplements, draw samples at least 72 hours following the last biotin supplementation.

The Importance of Thyroid Tests - All You Need to Know

Being a part of the endocrine system, the thyroid gland is an organ similar in terms of shape to a butterfly, at the base of your neck. Usually, its length lies between 2-5 inches while its weight does not exceed 30 grams for an adult.

The thyroid is often overlooked when considering your health, but luckily, the thyroid test cost is smaller and smaller every year. The thyroid influences the way every cell, tissue, muscle, or bone interacts and controls the way our metabolism can transform nutritious substances into energy.

The thyroid issues are determined by different disorders in the hormone-producing process. Doctors are recommending a blood test once a year to check your health properly as any neglected disorder can cause severe health issues.

Why Thyroid is So Important?

The thyroid gland is one of the most important parts of your body; it releases hormones that are responsible for protein production and control of metabolism. It regulates vital body functions such as breathing, body weight, body temperature, levels of cholesterol, heart rate, menstrual cycles for women, digestion, growth, brain, and bones.

We can think of the thyroid gland as an oven and the pituitary gland as its thermostat. Whenever the “oven” becomes colder, the “thermostat” gets notified and starts producing TSH to stimulate the thyroid hormones which leads to warming. When the opposite occurs, the pituitary gland slows down the TSH production and cools you off.

The thyroid gland releases two hormones: T3 (Triiodothyronine) and T4 (Thyroxine). These are produced using iodine found in foods: sea salt, seafood, bread, milk, etc.  T3 and T4 are regulating heart rates, helping the digestive system to process food at a higher rate.

Hence, if T3 and T4 are low, you may have a slower heart rate than usual and also gain weight as an effect of constipation. Meanwhile, if T3 and T4 are high you may face the opposite, facing a faster heart rate and diarrhea which will lead to weight loss. 

Types of Thyroid Tests

There are several thyroid tests used to discover hormonal imbalances. You can go for individual tests or more complex test panels. Let’s take a closer look at a few of them. Remember that the thyroid test cost is getting lower, so now it’s the right time to test your thyroid.

The Comprehensive Thyroid Panel

The comprehensive thyroid panel is the most elaborate and cost-efficient hormonal check for the thyroid. It reveals all possible disorders that oftentimes go undetected with a more limited assessment.

This test panel can explore all possibilities of thyroid disorders including hypothyroidism /Hashimoto's disease. It comprises TSH, Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3, Thyroglobulin Antibody, and Thyroid Peroxidase Antibody (Anti-Tpo). 

TSH - Thyroid Stimulating Hormone

The thyroid-stimulating hormone is the best and most common test to check the possibility of thyroid disease in the context of nonexistent dysfunction of the pituitary gland. If this test gives normal values, 0.450−4.500 μIU/mL (>10 yr old) it means that the TSH levels are in the normal range.

An increased level of TSH may suggest that the pituitary gland sends a message that the deficit thyroid does not produce enough hormones which leads to hypothyroidism.

By comparison, if the TSH level is very low, it means that a higher number of hormones was produced and you may suffer from hyperthyroidism. 

Free T3 ( Free Triiodothyronine Test)

The test for this hormone is usually useful to determine whether a patient suffers from hyperthyroidism or not. Normal levels for T3 lie between 100 and 200 ng/Dl.

Whenever you are facing symptoms such as constipation, anxiety, depression, dry skin, increased heart rate, or sleeping disorders, a test may be required.

Free T4 (Free Thyroxine Test)

The thyroid gland secretes and produces T4 which is well known as thyroxine. The thyroxine binds with the proteins and arrives in your tissues throughout the bloodstream.

Further on, the T4 and the proteins split and T4 becomes free to convert itself in T3, a more active form. In general, doctors recommend testing both TSH and free T4 to get to a clearer picture in case of hypothyroidism. The reference interval for this indicator is 0.82-1.77 ng/dl (>19 years old).

Symptoms of Thyroid Dysfunction

Many disorders may be associated with thyroid, may appear at any age as a result of various situations such as injuries, deficiencies in our dietary or disease.

The most common disorders associated with thyroid are hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, which are explained below:

Hypothyroidism

It is characterized by the insufficient production of thyroid hormones. The most frequent cause of hypothyroidism consists in the iodine deficit. The second most frequent cause for hypothyroidism is a particular inflammatory disorder called Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

In both cases, the patient will develop goiter. Hashimoto's thyroiditis cause is not yet determined, involving genetic and environmental factors.

The symptoms associated with the deficit of thyroid hormones include dry skin, voice changing, excessive tiredness, weight gain, sleeping issues, muscular cramp, cardiac insufficiency, menstrual disorders, liquid across the heart and throughout the abdominal cavity.

Without proper treatment, hypothyroidism leads to cardiac and respiratory insufficiency, fatigue, weight gain, low mood, and more health consequences that impair quality and quantify of life.

Hyperthyroidism

By comparison, hyperthyroidism is characterized by an excess of thyroid hormones. This disorder makes the heart work more which determines a series of secondary disorders, most frequent ones are sinus tachycardia (abnormal cardiac rhythm, > 100beats/minute) as well as cardiac arrhythmia.

An associated symptom with this disorder consists of palpitations. An excess of thyroid hormones determines the heart to pump blood faster, therefore, the cardiac muscle will require more oxygen.

Order Your Thyroid Test Today

Find out more about your thyroid by choosing the right thyroid test today. Go to DiscountedLabs.com and get a variety of thyroid lab test options, test combinations, and accessible locations in more than 30 states in the US.

HOW DOES DISCOUNTEDLABS.COM WORK?

1-     Go to the "Find a Location" page to find the closest Labcorp location. 

2-     Go to "Choose a Test" and add your selection (s) in the shopping cart.

3-     If you have a discount coupon code, add it to your cart.

4-     Pay using a credit card.

5-     You will receive an order confirmation and a lab request emails during business hours.

6-     Print lab request form attached to the lab request form email (PDF file).

7-     Take that form to the closest lab with a picture ID. Get your blood drawn.  No lab fee is required.

8-     Your results will be emailed to you within 5-7 business days (depending on test).