[Solved] Thyroid Test Analysis
Laboratory
Tests and Screening
1.
Thyroid
Function Tests
Overview
Thyroid Function Test comprises of
various blood tests that are used to evaluate the functioning of thyroid
glands. They include the T3, TSH, T4 and T3RU. The thyroid gland is situated in
the lower front of the neck and is of significance in regulating blood
processes. It produces hormone thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Too
much production of these hormones causes hyperthyroidism while less production
leads to hypothyroidism.
The most common thyroid function tests
are the T4 (thyroxine test) and TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) test. This
section will highlight common thyroid function tests (TSH and free T4).
TSH
This test measures thyroid-stimulating
hormone concentration in the serum, and it is preferred by many physicians as
the initial test for people suffering from thyroid disease. This is because it
is the key hormone in the diagnosis of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. The
availability of the advanced third-generation TSH assays has enhanced the
possibility of detecting significantly decreased and raised levels in TSH, even
TSH as low as <0.1mU/L.
Furthermore, third-generation TSHs are
capable of accurately distinguishing between suppressed and normal results, as
well as distinguishing between profoundly suppressed and mildly suppressed
states. Thus they offer a powerful tool in estimation of the hyperthyroidism
severity, differentiating between frank hyperthyroidism and the influences of
some drugs and illnesses not related to thyroids in patients who suppress the
levels of TSH in sick euthyroid disease as well as in the optimization of
suppressive therapies.
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