Thyroid Comprehensive Blood Work Panel

This comprehensive thyroid panel includes 8 blood tests to evaluate function of the thyroid gland and the hormones involved with energy expenditure and storage.  Each hormone plays a significant role in metabolic function, involving caloric output, body temperature and heart rate.  The comprehensive thyroid panel may be used to help diagnose hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid function) or another thyroid related condition.

Thyroid Comprehensive Blood Work Panel includes:

• T3 uptake
• T4
• T7
• TSH
• T3 Free
• T4 Free
• T3 Total
• TPO antibodies

T3 uptake—The Triiodothyronine (T3) uptake test is used to evaluate thyroid-binding protein saturation in the blood.  This test is usually performed as a result of abnormal levels of thyroid hormones previously tested. 

T4—Thyroxine (T4) produces specific enzymes necessary for proper organ, heart and cellular function.  T4 circulates within the blood. 

T7—This test is used in part to determine the relationship between T4 and T3 uptake test levels.

TSH—Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) essentially signals the thyroid gland to produce thyroxine (T4), and triiodothyronine (T3), which trigger metabolic function. 

T3 Free—T3 (Triiodothyronine) Free —This test is used to evaluate circulating levels of the thyroid hormone, triiodothyronine (T3).  It is sometimes used to determine if thyroid treatment is effective.

T4 Free—T4 (Thyroxine) Free —This test Measures the amount of free (unbound by carrier proteins) thyroxine (T4) circulating in the blood.  It is sometimes used along with TSH testing to evaluate the complete hormonal-thyroid feedback loop.

T3 Total—T3 (Triiodothyronine) Total —This blood test analyzes the amount of both bound and free T3 in the body.  Measurement of T3 total is sometimes used to determine if hyperthyroidism is present.

TPO antibodies—Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) antibodiesThe presence of TPO antibodies in the blood is an indicator of an autoimmune condition that attacks the thyroid gland, causing thyroid dysfunction.