Thyroid Total
In this blood test, the following thyroid tests are measured
- TSH
- FT4 (Free T4)
- FT3 (Free T3)
- Reverse T3 (RT3)
- Anti TPO (Thyreoid. microsomal al.)
- Anti Tg (Thyreoglobulin al)
- TSH receptor (TSH receptor al.)
You are tired... you would prefer to lie in bed and sleep. Your body feels stiff and rigid and moving hurts. Your mood is depressed or changes quickly. you feel hunted and sleep badly.
Most disorders of the thyroid gland result in too little or too much thyroid hormone being made. This leads to many physical symptoms. With an overactive thyroid gland, these include: a fast heartbeat, weight loss, nervousness, trembling hands, irritated eyes, sleeping problems and a hunted feeling. In women, an irregular menstrual cycle may also occur. With thyroid hormone deficiency, the patient suffers from weight gain, dry skin, constipation, feeling cold easily, fatigue and in women heavy menstrual bleeding.
TSH
Is made in the pituitary gland, an important hormone-producing gland in the brain. TSH ensures that the right amount of thyroid hormone (T4 and T3) is always produced. Thyroid hormone regulates the use of energy in the body it has a kind of thermostat function.
Free T4
(FT4, free T4, free thyroxine) is a thyroid hormone. This hormone ensures that all kinds of processes in the body run fast enough. A value that is too low indicates a thyroid that works too slowly. Too high a value of FT4 indicates a thyroid that works too fast.
FT3
Is the hormone that arises from T4 and causes the final effect of thyroid hormone. So actually FT3 is more important than T4, but we measure T4 to examine changes in thyroid function.
Reverse T3
rT3 is an inactive form of the T3 hormone. Your body makes rT3 to get rid of excess T4. If more energy is required elsewhere in the body, rT3 production goes up. For example, due to stress or an active immune system.
Anti TPO
This test is performed to detect autoimmune thyroid disease; an abnormality of the thyroid gland caused by the immune system malfunctioning. The test measures the amount of antibodies to thyroperoxidase (TPO), a protein found only in the thyroid gland. Antibodies to TPO are so-called autoantibodies that target the thyroid gland.
Anti TG
TPO and Tg antibodies attack the thyroid's own cells. The antibodies destroy the thyroid cells, causing the thyroid to produce too little or no hormone. Hypothyroidism (sluggish thyroid) develops, which is the case with Hashimoto's disease.
TSH receptor
TSH receptor antibodies can have either a stimulating or an inhibitory effect on the thyroid, but the stimulating effect is by far the most common. With a thyroid gland that works too fast and the presence of and TSH receptor antibodies, these antibodies bind to the thyroid gland and cause an excessive amount and FT4 in the blood. Symptoms that arise from this include: palpitations, shortness of breath on exertion, heat discomfort, excessive sweating, nervousness and weight loss.
