| Thyroid function tests |
| Intervention |
| MeSH |
D013960 |
| MedlinePlus |
003444 |
Thyroid function tests (TFTs) is a collective term for blood tests used to check the function of the thyroid.[1]
TFTs may be requested if a patient is thought to suffer from hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) or hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), or to monitor the effectiveness of either thyroid-suppression or hormone replacement therapy. It is also requested routinely in conditions linked to thyroid disease, such as atrial fibrillation and anxiety disorder.
A TFT panel typically includes thyroid hormones such as thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH, thyrotropin) and thyroxine (T4), and triiodothyronine (T3) depending on local laboratory policy.
Contents
- 1 Thyroid hormones
- 1.1 Thyroid-stimulating hormone
- 1.2 Total thyroxine
- 1.3 Free thyroxine
- 1.4 Total triiodothyronine
- 1.5 Free triiodothyronine
- 2 Carrier proteins
- 2.1 Thyroxine-binding globulin
- 3 Thyroglobulin
- 3.1 Other binding hormones
- 4 Protein binding function
- 4.1 Thyroid hormone uptake
- 4.2 Other protein binding tests
- 5 Mixed parameters
- 6 Structure parameters
- 6.1 Secretory capacity (GT)
- 6.2 Sum activity of peripheral deiodinases (GD)
- 6.3 TSH index
- 7 See also
- 8 References
- 9 Further reading
- 10 External links
Thyroid hormones
Thyroid-stimulating hormone
Main article: Thyroid-stimulating hormone measurement
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH, thyrotropin) is generally elevated in hypothyroidism and decreased in hyperthyroidism.[2]
It is the most sensitive test for thyroid hormone function. TSH is produced in the pituitary gland. The production of TSH is controlled by TRH, which is produced in the hypothalamus. TSH levels may be suppressed by excess free T3 or free T4 in the blood.
Total thyroxine
Total thyroxine is rarely measured, having been largely superseded by free thyroxine tests. Total thyroxine (Total T4) is generally elevated in hyperthyroidism and decreased in hypothyroidism.[2] It is usually slightly elevated in pregnancy secondary to increased levels of thyroid binding globulin (TBG).[2]
Total T4 is measured to see the bound and unbound levels of T4. The total T4 is less useful in cases where there could be protein abnormalities. The total T4 is less accurate due to the large amount of T4 that is bound. The total T3 is measured in clinical practice since the T3 has decreased amount that is bound as compared to T4.
Reference ranges depend on the method of analysis. Results should always be interpreted using the range from the laboratory that performed the test. Example values are:
| Lower limit |
Upper limit |
Unit |
| 4,[3] 5.5[4] |
11,[3] 12.3[4] |
μg/dL |
| 60[3][5] |
140,[3] 160[5] |
nmol/L |
Free thyroxine
Free thyroxine (Free T4) is generally elevated in hyperthyroidism and decreased in hypothyroidism.[2]
Reference ranges depend on the method of analysis. Results should always be interpreted using the range from the laboratory that performed the test. Example values are:
| Patient type |
Lower limit |
Upper limit |
Unit |
| Normal adult |
0.7,[6] 0.8[4] |
1.4,[6] 1.5,[4] 1.8[7] |
ng/dL |
| 9,[8][9] 10,[3] 12 [5] |
18,[8][9] 23[5] |
pmol/L |
| Infant 0–3 d |
2.0[6] |
5.0[6] |
ng/dL |
| 26[9] |
65[9] |
pmol/L |
| Infant 3–30 d |
0.9[6] |
2.2[6] |
ng/dL |
| 12[9] |
30[9] |
pmol/L |
Child/Adolescent
31 d – 18 y |
0.8[6] |
2.0[6] |
ng/dL |
| 10[9] |
26[9] |
pmol/L |
| Pregnant |
0.5[6] |
1.0[6] |
ng/dL |
| 6.5[9] |
13[9] |
pmol/L |
Total triiodothyronine
Total triiodothyronine (Total T3) is rarely measured, having been largely superseded by free T3 tests. Total T3 is generally elevated in hyperthyroidism and decreased in hypothyroidism.[2]
Reference ranges depend on the method of analysis. Results should always be interpreted using the range from the laboratory that performed the test. Example values are:
| Test |
Lower limit |
Upper limit |
Unit |
| Total triiodothyronine |
60,[4] 75[3] |
175,[3] 181[4] |
ng/dL |
| 0.9,[8] 1.1[3] |
2.5,[8] 2.7[3] |
nmol/L |
Free triiodothyronine
Free triiodothyronine (Free T3) is generally elevated in hyperthyroidism and decreased in hypothyroidism.[2]
Reference ranges depend on the method of analysis. Results should always be interpreted using the range from the laboratory that performed the test. Example values are:
| Patient type |
Lower limit |
Upper limit |
Unit |
| Normal adult |
3.0[3] |
7.0[3] |
pg/mL |
| 3.1[10] |
7.7[10] |
pmol/L |
| Children 2–16 y |
3.0[11] |
7.0[11] |
pg/mL |
| 1.5[10] |
9.2[10] |
pmol/L |
Carrier proteins
Thyroxine-binding globulin
An increased thyroxine-binding globulin results in an increased total thyroxine and total triiodothyronine without an actual increase in hormonal activity of thyroid hormones.
Reference ranges:
| Lower limit |
Upper limit |
Unit |
| 12[4] |
30[4] |
mg/L |
Thyroglobulin
Reference ranges:
| Lower limit |
Upper limit |
Unit |
| 1.5[3] |
30[3] |
pmol/L |
| 1[3] |
20 [3] |
μg/L |
Other binding hormones
- Transthyretin (prealbumin)
- Albumin
Protein binding function
Thyroid hormone uptake
Thyroid hormone uptake (Tuptake or T3 uptake) is a measure of the unbound thyroxine binding globulins in the blood, that is, the TBG that is unsaturated with thyroid hormone.[2] Unsaturated TBG increases with decreased levels of thyroid hormones. It is not directly related to triiodothyronine, despite the name T3 uptake.[2]
Reference ranges:
| Patient type |
Lower limit |
Upper limit |
Unit |
| Females |
25[2] |
35[2] |
% |
| In pregnancy |
15[2] |
25[2] |
% |
| Males |
25[2] |
35[2] |
% |
Other protein binding tests
- Thyroid hormone binding ratio (THBR)
- Thyroxine-binding index (TBI)
Mixed parameters
Free thyroxine index
The Free Thyroxine Index (FTI or T7) is obtained by multiplying the total T4 with Tuptake.[2] FTI is considered to be a more reliable indicator of thyroid status in the presence of abnormalities in plasma protein binding.[2] This test is rarely used now that reliable free thyroxine and free triiodothyronine assays are routinely available.
FTI is elevated in hyperthyroidism and decreased in hypothyroidism.[2]
| Patient type |
Lower limit |
Upper limit |
Unit |
| Females |
1.8[2] |
5.0[2] |
|
| Males |
1.3[2] |
4.2[2] |
|
Structure parameters
For special purposes, e.g. in diagnosis of nonthyroidal illness syndrome or central hypothyroidism, derived structure parameters that describe constant properties of the overall feedback control system, may add useful information.[12][13][14]
Secretory capacity (GT)
Thyroid's secretory capacity (GT, also referred to as SPINA-GT) is the maximum stimulated amount of thyroxine the thyroid can produce in one second.[15] GT is elevated in hyperthyroidism and reduced in hypothyroidism.[16]
GT is calculated with
or
: Dilution factor for T4 (reciprocal of apparent volume of distribution, 0.1 l−1)
- Clearance exponent for T4 (1.1e-6 sec−1)
K41: Dissociation constant T4-TBG (2e10 l/mol)
K42: Dissociation constant T4-TBPA (2e8 l/mol)
DT: EC
50 for TSH (2.75 mU/l)
[15]
| Lower limit |
Upper limit |
Unit |
| 1.41[15] |
8.67[15] |
pmol/s |
Sum activity of peripheral deiodinases (GD)
The sum activity of peripheral deiodinases (GD, also referred to as SPINA-GD) is reduced in nonthyroidal illness with hypodeiodination.[13][14]
GD is obtained with
or
: Dilution factor for T3 (reciprocal of apparent volume of distribution, 0.026 l−1)
- Clearance exponent for T3 (8e-6 sec−1)
KM1: Dissociation constant of type-1-deiodinase (5e-7 mol/l)
K30: Dissociation constant T3-TBG (2e9 l/mol)
[15]
| Lower limit |
Upper limit |
Unit |
| 20[15] |
40[15] |
nmol/s |
TSH index
Jostel's TSH index (TSHI) helps to determine thyrotropic function of anterior pituitary on a quantitative level.[17]
It is calculated with
.
Additionally, a standardized form of TSH index may be calculated with
.[17]
| Parameter |
Lower limit |
Upper limit |
Unit |
| TSHI |
1.3[17] |
4.1[17] |
|
| sTSHI |
-2[17] |
2[17] |
|
See also
- Reference ranges for blood tests#Thyroid hormones
Reference ranges for blood tests, sorted by mass and molar concentration, with thyroid function tests marked in
purple boxes in left half of diagram.
References
- ^ Dayan CM (February 2001). "Interpretation of thyroid function tests". Lancet 357 (9256): 619–24. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(00)04060-5. PMID 11558500.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u Military Obstetrics & Gynecology > Thyroid Function Tests In turn citing: Operational Medicine 2001, Health Care in Military Settings, NAVMED P-5139, May 1, 2001, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Department of the Navy, 2300 E Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20372-5300
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Table 4: Typical reference ranges for serum assays - Thyroid Disease Manager
- ^ a b c d e f g h Normal Reference Range Table from The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. Used in Interactive Case Study Companion to Pathologic basis of disease.
- ^ a b c d van der Watt G, Haarburger D, Berman P (July 2008). "Euthyroid patient with elevated serum free thyroxine". Clin. Chem. 54 (7): 1239–41. doi:10.1373/clinchem.2007.101428. PMID 18593963.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Free T4; Thyroxine, Free; T4, Free UNC Health Care System
- ^ Derived from molar values using molar mass of 776.87 g/mol
- ^ a b c d Reference range list from Uppsala University Hospital ("Laborationslista"). Artnr 40284 Sj74a. Issued on April 22, 2008
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Derived from mass values using molar mass of 776.87 g/mol
- ^ a b c d Derived from mass values using molar mass of 650.98 g/mol
- ^ a b Cioffi M, Gazzerro P, Vietri MT et al. (2001). "Serum concentration of free T3, free T4 and TSH in healthy children". J. Pediatr. Endocrinol. Metab. 14 (9): 1635–9. doi:10.1515/JPEM.2001.14.9.1635. PMID 11795654.
- ^ Dietrich, J. W., A. Stachon, B. Antic, H. H. Klein, and S. Hering (2008). "The AQUA-FONTIS Study: Protocol of a multidisciplinary, cross-sectional and prospective longitudinal study for developing standardized diagnostics and classification of non-thyroidal illness syndrome." BMC Endocrine Disorders 8 (13). PMID 18851740.
- ^ a b Rosolowska-Huszcz D, Kozlowska L, Rydzewski A (August 2005). "Influence of low protein diet on nonthyroidal illness syndrome in chronic renal failure". Endocrine 27 (3): 283–8. doi:10.1385/ENDO:27:3:283. PMID 16230785.
- ^ a b Liu S, Ren J, Zhao Y, Han G, Hong Z, Yan D, Chen J, Gu G, Wang G, Wang X, Fan C, Li J (2012). "Nonthyroidal Illness Syndrome: Is it Far Away From Crohn's Disease?". J Clin Gastroenterol. 47 (2): 153–9. doi:10.1097/MCG.0b013e318254ea8a. PMID 22874844.
- ^ a b c d e f g Dietrich, J. W. (2002). Der Hypophysen-Schilddrüsen-Regelkreis. Berlin, Germany: Logos-Verlag Berlin. ISBN 978-3-89722-850-4. OCLC 50451543. 3897228505
- ^ Dietrich, J., M. Fischer, J. Jauch, E. Pantke, R. Gärtner und C. R. Pickardt (1999). "SPINA-THYR: A Novel Systems Theoretic Approach to Determine the Secretion Capacity of the Thyroid Gland." European Journal of Internal Medicine 10, Suppl. 1 (5/1999): S34.
- ^ a b c d e f Jostel A, Ryder WD, Shalet SM (October 2009). "The use of thyroid function tests in the diagnosis of hypopituitarism: definition and evaluation of the TSH Index". Clin. Endocrinol. (Oxf) 71 (4): 529–34. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2265.2009.03534.x. PMID 19226261.
Further reading
- American Thyroid Association: Thyroid Function Tests. Posted on June 4, 2012, seen on January 9, 2013.
- Thyroid function panel - Lab Tests Online
External links
- SPINA Thyr: Open source software for calculating GT and GD
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References ranges for blood tests (CPT 82000–84999)
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| Electrolytes |
- Sodium
- Potassium
- Chloride
- Calcium
- Renal function
- Creatinine
- Urea
- BUN-to-creatinine ratio
- Plasma osmolality
- Serum osmolal gap
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| Acid-base |
- Anion gap
- Arterial blood gas
- Base excess
- Bicarbonate
- CO2 content
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| Iron tests |
- Ferritin
- Serum iron
- Transferrin saturation
- Total iron-binding capacity
- Transferrin
- Transferrin receptor
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| Hormones |
- ACTH stimulation test
- Thyroid function tests
- Thyroid-stimulating hormone
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| Metabolism |
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| Cardiovascular |
- Cardiac marker
- CPK-MB test
- Lactate dehydrogenase
- Myoglobin
- Glycogen phosphorylase isoenzyme BB
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| Liver function tests |
- Proteins
- Human serum albumin
- Serum total protein
- ALP
- transaminases
- Bilirubin
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| Pancreas |
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Index of the urinary system
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| Description |
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Development
- Cells
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| Disease |
- Electrolyte and acid-base
- Congenital
- Neoplasms and cancer
- Other
- Symptoms and signs
- Urine tests
- Blood tests
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| Treatment |
- Procedures
- Drugs
- Intravenous fluids
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Index of hormones
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| Description |
- Glands
- Hormones
- thyroid
- mineralocorticoids
- Physiology
- Development
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| Disease |
- Diabetes
- Congenital
- Neoplasms and cancer
- Other
- Symptoms and signs
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| Treatment |
- Procedures
- Drugs
- calcium balance
- corticosteroids
- oral hypoglycemics
- pituitary and hypothalamic
- thyroid
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Index of the heart
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| Description |
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Development
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| Disease |
- Injury
- Congenital
- Neoplasms and cancer
- Other
- Symptoms and signs
- Blood tests
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| Treatment |
- Procedures
- Drugs
- glycosides
- other stimulants
- antiarrhythmics
- vasodilators
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Index of digestion
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| Description |
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Development
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| Disease |
- Congenital
- Neoplasms and cancer
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Gluten sensitivity
- Other
- Symptoms and signs
- Blood tests
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| Treatment |
- Procedures
- Drugs
- anabolic steroids
- antacids
- diarrhoea and infection
- bile and liver
- functional gastrointestinal disorders
- laxatives
- peptic ulcer and reflux
- nausea and vomiting
- other
- Surgery
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