What is Thyroid function test?
Thyroid gland is a butterfly shaped gland sitting in the neck which regulates thyroid hormone and plays an important role in body metabolism. Thyroid gland function is regulated by feedback loop involving pituitary gland and hypothalamus in brain depending upon circulating thyroid hormone levels. Thyroid hormone is vital for body temperature regulation, metabolism, skin health, digestion, mood, weight management and muscle strength.
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Normal Thyroid lab range for adults: (May vary among various labs)
TSH: 0.4 – 4.5 mIU/L (low TSH means high thyroid and high TSH means low thyroid levels)
Free T4: 0.8 – 1.8 ng/dL
T3 total: 76 – 181 ng/dL
Additional Thyroid labs may be necessary based on TSH, Free T4 and T3 levels.
What are the common causes of low Thyroid levels?
Hashimoto’s disease where your immune system attacks the Thyroid gland and decreases the production of Thyroid hormone
Thyroiditis – inflammation of thyroid gland
Damage to Thyroid gland from radiation
Damage to Thyroid gland from certain medicines
Surgical removal of Thyroid gland such as in those with Thyroid cancer
Pituitary gland (in brain) disorder
Low iodine intake
What are the common causes of high Thyroid levels?
Grave’s disease where your immune system stimulates the Thyroid gland and increases the production of Thyroid hormone
Inflammation of Thyroid gland
Hyperactive Thyroid nodule
Too much of iodine
Too much of thyroid replacement medicine
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