Thyroid Lab Outcomes – HealthyWomen

Your thyroid is a gland in your neck that’s managed by the pituitary gland. It makes hormones that play a job in regulating necessary features like:

  • Physique temperature

  • Digestion

  • Coronary heart price

  • Temper

To verify how your thyroid is working, your healthcare supplier (HCP) can order the next blood assessments:

  • TSH

  • T4

  • T3

  • Thyroid antibodies

What’s TSH? 

TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) is a hormone that:

  • Is made by the pituitary gland, which is within the mind

  • Tells your thyroid how a lot thyroid hormone to make

What do TSH take a look at outcomes imply?

  • Low TSH ranges happen when your thyroid is overactive

    • To get the thyroid to decelerate, the pituitary gland stops making TSH

    • That is referred to as hyperthyroidism

    • Graves’ illness is the commonest explanation for hyperthyroidism

  • Excessive TSH ranges happen when your thyroid is underactive

    • To stimulate the thyroid to make extra T4, the pituitary gland makes additional TSH

    • That is referred to as hypothyroidism

    • Hashimoto’s disease is the commonest explanation for hypothyroidism

A TSH take a look at can’t diagnose the underlying explanation for a thyroid downside.

What’s T4?

T4 is thyroxine, one of many primary hormones produced by the thyroid.

T4 assessments are often carried out together with a TSH take a look at. 

T4 is measured with:

A free T4 take a look at

A complete T4 take a look at, which measures free T4 and certain T4

What do T4 take a look at outcomes imply?

Low ranges of T4 could also be an indication of:

  • Hypothyroidism

  • Hashimoto’s illness

  • Different thyroid illnesses

Excessive ranges of T4 could also be an indication of:

What’s T3?

T3 is triiodothyronine, one of many primary hormones produced by the thyroid.

T3 assessments are used to:

  • Diagnose hyperthyroidism when you have signs 

  • Diagnose issues along with your pituitary gland

  • Monitor remedy for thyroid illness

This take a look at isn’t often used to diagnose hypothyroidism.

What do T3 take a look at outcomes imply?

What are thyroid antibodies?

  • In case your TSH, T3 or T4 are irregular, a thyroid antibody take a look at checks to see if antibodies could also be attacking your thyroid.

What do antibody thyroid take a look at outcomes imply?

  • Detrimental = If no thyroid antibodies are discovered, you almost certainly wouldn’t have an autoimmune thyroid illness.

  • Optimistic =  You will have an autoimmune thyroid illness.

Thyroid take a look at values

Though these ranges differ by lab, typical thyroid take a look at ranges for adults are: 

Check

Regular Vary

TSH

0.5–5.0 mIU/L 

Complete T3

80–220 ng/dL

Free T4

0.7–1.9 ng/dL

Complete T4

5.0–12.0 μg/dL

Speak to your healthcare supplier 

Collectively, these take a look at outcomes present how properly your thyroid is working. Ask your HCP that will help you perceive what your outcomes imply. 

This instructional useful resource was created with assist from Immunovant, a HealthyWomen Company Advisory Council member.