Demystifying High Cholesterol: Understanding the Risks and Solutions      

Thyroid blood tests are a commonly ordered set of tests used to measure the levels of thyroid hormones in the blood. The thyroid gland, a small butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck, produces two hormones known as thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). These hormones play a crucial role in regulating metabolism and energy levels in the body. Thyroid blood tests are often used to diagnose thyroid disorders such as hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism and to monitor treatment for these conditions. These tests are simple, routine blood tests that are widely available and can provide valuable information about a person's thyroid health. Book online blood test today and get yourself checked!

Why are they taken?

Thyroid blood tests are done for a number of reasons, including diagnosing thyroid disorders, monitoring thyroid function in people already receiving treatment, and evaluating the health of the thyroid gland. These tests can help determine if the thyroid gland is producing too much or too little hormone, or if there are other issues affecting the thyroid gland.

 Thyroid blood tests show if you have:

• Hyperthyroidism: When your thyroid gland produces more hormones than your body requires, you may experience hyperthyroidism. This condition can accelerate your metabolism, leading to symptoms such as weight loss, a rapid heartbeat, insomnia, anxiety, and swelling around the eyes. Graves' disease is the most frequent cause of hyperthyroidism.
• Hypothyroidism: Hypothyroidism occurs when your thyroid gland produces too few hormones. This underactive thyroid can slow down your metabolism, leading to symptoms like weight gain, dry and puffy skin, menstrual irregularities, fatigue, and more. The most frequent cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto's disease.

Thyroid blood tests are used to diagnose thyroid disorders associated with hyper- or hypothyroidism. These include:

• Thyroiditis.
• Graves’ disease.
• Hashimoto’s disease.
• Thyroid tumors.
• Goiter.
• Thyroid nodule.
• Thyroid cancer.

If you are unable to visit a clinic nearby, you can use their book test home collection service to have your blood test done at home.

What blood tests are done to test the thyroid?

Thyroid blood tests include:

• Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) regulates thyroid hormone balance in the bloodstream and is usually the first test done to check for hormone imbalance. Elevated TSH levels are usually associated with hypothyroidism, while low TSH levels indicate hyperthyroidism. If TSH levels are abnormal, further tests measuring thyroid hormones directly may be necessary. For adults, the normal TSH range is 0.40 - 4.50 mIU/mL.
• T4: thyroxine test is used to check for both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism and to monitor thyroid disorder treatment. Low T4 levels can indicate hypothyroidism, while high T4 levels may indicate hyperthyroidism. For adults, the normal T4 range is 5.0 - 11.0 ug/dL, which is measured in micrograms per deciliter of blood.
• FT4: FT4, or free thyroxin, is a type of T4 test that eliminates the effects of proteins that can interfere with accurate measurement. It is used to evaluate thyroid function. For adults, the normal range for FT4 test results is 0.9 - 1.7 ng/dL, which is measured in nanograms per deciliter of blood.
• The T3: triiodothyronine test is used to diagnose and assess the severity of hyperthyroidism. Although low T3 levels can be observed in hypothyroidism, this test is more useful for diagnosing and managing hyperthyroidism where T3 levels are typically elevated. For adults, the normal range for T3 test results is 100 - 200 ng/dL, which is measured in nanograms per deciliter of blood.
• The FT3 or free triiodothyronine test measures T3 levels in the blood without the influence of proteins that can interfere with accurate measurement. For adults, the normal range for FT3 test results is 2.3 - 4.1 pg/mL, which is measured in picograms per milliliter of blood. The FT3 test is useful in diagnosing and monitoring thyroid disorders, particularly hyperthyroidism.

If you need to get your thyroid tested, you can opt for the convenient option of blood sample collection from home, eliminating the need to visit a lab. Genu Path Labs is a trusted and reliable diagnostic center that offers a wide range of services, including pathology, radiology, and imaging tests. With a team of highly qualified and experienced medical professionals, we strive to provide accurate and timely results to our patients.