Thyroid Panel, Serum

• When you have signs and symptoms suggesting underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) or overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) due to a condition affecting the thyroid.
• When you have an enlarged thyroid (goiter) or a thyroid nodule (a small lump on the thyroid gland that may be solid or a fluid-filled cyst).

The signs of an underactive thyroid include slow heart rate, weight gain, enlarged thyroid, dry skin, constipation, trouble tolerating cold, pain in the muscle and joints, puffy skin, thinning of hair, hair loss, fatigue, depression, forgetfulness, heavy or irregular menstrual periods and infertility in women.

The signs of an overactive thyroid include rapid heart rate, anxiety, weight loss, difficulty in sleeping, tremors in the hands, muscle weakness, increased sweating, difficulty in tolerating heat, frequent bowel movements, puffiness around the eyes, dryness, irritation, excessive tearing, sensitivity to light, blurry double vision, bulging of eyes and lighter or less frequent menstrual periods in women.

Introduction:

The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland that is normally located in the lower front of the neck. The thyroid’s job is to make thyroid hormones, which are secreted into the blood and then carried to every tissue in the body. Thyroid hormones help the body use energy, stay warm and keep the brain, heart, muscles and other organs working as they should.

Your thyroid makes hormones that regulate the way your body uses energy. It also plays an important role in regulating your weight, body temperature, muscle strength and even your mood.

Thyroid panel test:

 

The thyroid panel is used to see how well the thyroid gland is functioning. The thyroid is responsible for producing hormones that are important for many bodily processes. Abnormal thyroid function, such as underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) or overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) can lead to a wide range of symptoms. By measuring levels of thyroid hormones in the blood, the thyroid panel can help diagnose thyroid disorders and disrupted thyroid function.

A thyroid panel can also be used to monitor the treatment of hyperthyroidism and assess patients receiving levothyroxine therapy. Levothyroxine therapy replaces or supplements thyroid hormones that are reduced or absent due to hypothyroidism, thyroid cancer, thyroid nodules and goiter.

The thyroid panel uses one blood sample to test for multiple elements related to thyroid function. Specifically, it measures the amounts of thyroid hormones and thyroid-stimulating hormones in the body.

Three hormones are part of a standard thyroid panel:

• T3 (triiodothyronine)
• T4 (thyroxine)
• TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone)

 

Sample: Thyroid panel requires a blood sample

 

Reference range:

T3 Reference Range -

Male: 80 - 200 ng/dL

Female:

Non pregnant: 80 - 200 ng/dL

I Trimester: 105 - 230 ng/dL

II Trimester: 129 - 262 ng/dL

III Trimester: 135 - 262 ng/dL

 

T4 Reference Range -

Male: 5.10- 14.10µg/dL

Female:

Non pregnant: 5.10- 14.10µg/dL

I Trimester: 7.33-14.80µg/dL

II Trimester: 7.93- 16.10µg/dL

III Trimester: 6.95- 15.70µg/dL

 

TSH Reference range-

Male: 0.27 - 4.2 μIU/mL

Pregnant Women: 0.27 - 4.2 μIU/mL

Non pregnant: 5.10- 14.10µg/dL

I Trimester: 0.33 - 4.59 μIU/mL

II Trimester: 0.35 - 4.10 μIU/mL

III Trimester: 0.21 - 3.15 μIU/mL

Interpretation:

TSH	T4	T3	MOST LIKELY DIAGNOSIS
Normal	Normal	Normal	Indicates  thyroid function
Normal or reduced	Normal or reduced	Reduced	Normal adjustment in thyroid function due to illness (non-thyroidal illness)
Elevated	Normal	Normal	Subclinical hypothyroidism; patient with hypothyroidism on treatment does not receive enough thyroid hormone - In this hypothyroidism, while there may not be any pressing symptoms, the person is at greater risk for elevated LDL cholesterol levels and increased risk of cardiovascular disease
Elevated	Reduced	Normal or Reduced	Primary Hypothyroidism: usually refers to when the problem is because of a defect in the thyroid gland itself
Normal or Elevated	Elevated	Elevated	Central Hyperthyroidism is referred to a problem with the pituitary gland signals or thyroid hormone resistance which is a problem with the thyroid hormone receptor
Reduced	Normal	Normal	Subclinical hyperthyroidism: this happens when a patient on treatment is being given too much thyroid hormone
Reduced	Normal	Elevated	Hyperthyroidism that results from the thyroid gland making too much active thyroid hormone T3. This condition is quite uncommon and is also referred to as T3 toxicosis)
Reduced	Elevated	Elevated	Hyperthyroidism resulting from the thyroid gland making too much thyroid hormones
Reduced	Reduced	Reduced	When all three levels are reduced, it is because of a problem with the hypothalamus or pituitary signals that govern the thyroid gland and this also referred to as central hypothyroidism