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Thyroid Profile Free (FT3, FT4 & TSH) in Gurgaon

Also known as Thyroid Function Test-Free

Thyroid Profile Free (FT3, FT4 & TSH) in Gurgaon Test Includes 3 testsView All

You need to provide

Blood

This test is for

Male, Female

Test Preparation

No special preparation is required.
Do not take multivitamins or dietary supplements containing biotin (vitamin B7) for at least 2 days before the test.

Understanding Thyroid Profile Free (FT3, FT4 & TSH) in Gurgaon

What is Thyroid Profile Free (FT3, FT4 & TSH) in Gurgaon?

Thyroid Profile Free (FT3, FT4 & TSH) is a group of blood tests that assesses the health of your thyroid gland and aids in the diagnosis and management of thyroid disorders. It is available at an affordable price in Gurgaon with Tata 1mg labs. This profile measures the amount of free form of thyroid hormones in the blood, namely thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroxine (T4) - free, and triiodothyronine (T3) - free.

Your doctor may suggest Thyroid Profile Free (FT3, FT4 & TSH) when you have symptoms suggestive of a thyroid disorder, such as tiredness, mood swings, depression, muscle pain, nervousness, or anxiety. The test results, along with your symptoms, will allow the doctor to identify and diagnose certain diseases, such as hyper or hypothyroidism, and also manage the treatment for these diseases.

No special preparations are needed for Thyroid Profile Free (FT3, FT4 & TSH) test. You may eat and drink as per your daily routine. On the day of the test, individuals on thyroid medications should take them at the time and dosage prescribed by their doctors.

What does Thyroid Profile Free (FT3, FT4 & TSH) measure?

Contains 3 tests

A Thyroid Profile Free (FT3, FT4 & TSH) measures the levels of three hormones in the blood, namely triiodothyronine hormone (T3) free, thyroxine hormone (T4) free, and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). T3 and T4 are thyroid hormones that help regulate metabolism and energy levels in the body. On the other hand, TSH is produced by the pituitary gland and stimulates the thyroid gland to produce T3 and T4 hormones. T3 and T4 circulate in the blood in two forms: bound (attached to proteins) and free (does not attach to any protein). The serum levels of the thyroid hormones and TSH have an inverse relationship, i.e., low T4 (as observed in hypothyroidism) and high T4 (as seen in hyperthyroidism) levels are associated with high and low TSH levels, respectively.

TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) Ultrasensitive

A TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) Ultrasensitive test measures the levels of TSH hormone in the blood. TSH is produced by the pituitary gland located in the brain. Its function is to stimulate and regulate the functioning of the thyroid gland. It signals the thyroid gland to increase or decrease the production of thyroid hormones T3 and T4 (essential for regulating our body’s metabolism, temperature, heart rate, and growth) when their levels are low or high, respectively. Therefore, when the levels of T3 & T4 decrease, the pituitary gland is stimulated to release TSH. This high TSH level, in turn, stimulates the thyroid gland to release more thyroid hormones (T3 & T4); the vice-versa happens when the levels of thyroid hormones increase.

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Thyroxine - Free

A Thyroxine - Free test measures the free form of thyroxine (T4) hormone made by the thyroid gland. T4 hormone exists in the blood in two forms: bound (attached to proteins) and free (not attached to proteins). Most of the T4 hormone circulating in the blood is bound to proteins and only a small part is free. A delicate balance of bound and free T4 should be maintained to ensure the proper functioning of the body.

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Triiodothyronine Free

A Triiodothyronine Free test measures the levels of free triiodothyronine (T3), a hormone that is produced by the thyroid gland. T3 hormone plays an important role in regulating the body's metabolism, energy levels, and growth & development. It exists in the blood in two forms: free T3 and bound T3. Only a small portion of T3 is in the free form (not bound to proteins) and can be utilized by the body’s tissues, whereas more than 99% T3 is bound to proteins, such as albumin and thyroid-binding globulin (TBG), which prevent it from entering into the tissues. The body maintains a balance between bound and free T3 to ensure proper functioning.

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Answers to Patient Concerns & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Thyroid Profile Free (FT3, FT4 & TSH) in Gurgaon

Frequently Asked Questions about Thyroid Profile Free (FT3, FT4 & TSH) in Gurgaon

Q. Why is a Thyroid Profile Free (FT3, FT4 & TSH) test performed?

A Thyroid Profile Free (FT3, FT4 & TSH) test helps evaluate the functioning of the thyroid gland and diagnose or monitor thyroid disorders, such as hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). This test can help your doctor to make an accurate diagnosis, determine appropriate treatment, and monitor the effectiveness of the treatment over time.

Q. Is fasting required before a Thyroid Profile Free (FT3, FT4 & TSH) test?

No, fasting is not needed before taking this test. However, your doctor will guide you if any special preparation is required.

Q. Can I take a Thyroid Profile Free (FT3, FT4 & TSH) test during pregnancy?

A Thyroid Profile Free (FT3, FT4 & TSH) test along with other tests is usually recommended during pregnancy to measure the levels of thyroid hormones, as thyroid disorders can complicate pregnancy.

Q. Is there any risk associated with a Thyroid Profile Free (FT3, FT4 & TSH) test?

There is generally no risk associated with this test. However, as a needle is used to prick and take a blood sample, rarely you may experience bleeding, swelling, or blood collection under the skin, which is usually self-limiting.

Q. What are some of the common symptoms of thyroid disorders?

Symptoms of thyroid disorders can vary depending on whether the thyroid gland is overactive (hyperthyroidism) or underactive (hypothyroidism). Common symptoms of hyperthyroidism include weight loss, nervousness, irritability, increased sweating, and rapid heartbeat. Whereas, common symptoms of hypothyroidism include weight gain, fatigue, sensitivity to cold, constipation, and dry skin.

Q. What is free T3 and free T4?

Free T3 and free T4 flow through the bloodstream independently. Because these free forms of T3 and T4 can interact with the body’s tissues, they are often considered a better indicator of thyroid function when used alongside other thyroid hormone tests.

Q. Which foods/nutrients can adversely affect my thyroid gland?

The foods/nutrients which are harmful to the thyroid gland include soy foods, such as tofu and tempeh; certain vegetables, like cabbage, broccoli, kale, cauliflower, and spinach; fruits and starchy plants, such as sweet potatoes, peaches, and strawberries; and nuts and seeds, like millet, peanuts, pine nuts, etc.

Q. What additional tests can be performed along with a Thyroid Profile Free (FT3, FT4 & TSH) test?

Several additional tests can be performed along with a TFT-Free test. These tests include a thyroid antibodies test that helps to diagnose autoimmune thyroid disease and distinguish it from other conditions of the thyroid such as Graves’ disease or Hashimoto's thyroiditis, calcitonin test that diagnoses C-cell hyperplasia and medullary thyroid cancer, thyroglobulin test that primarily monitors the treatment and recurrence of thyroid cancer, and thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG) test that evaluates the patients with abnormal levels of T3 and T4.

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