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Thyroid function tests

Thyroid function tests (TFTs) is a collective term for blood tests used to check the function of the thyroid. TFTs may be requested if a patient is thought to suffer from hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, or to monitor the effectiveness of either thyroid-suppression or hormone replacement therapy. It is also requested routinely in conditions linked to thyroid disease, such as atrial fibrillation and anxiety disorder.

Thyroid-stimulating hormone
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH, thyrotropin) is generally increased in hypothyroidism and decreased in hyperthyroidism, making it the most important test for early detection of both of these conditions. The result of this assay is suggestive of the presence and cause of thyroid disease, since a measurement of elevated TSH generally indicates hypothyroidism, while a measurement of low TSH generally indicates hyperthyroidism. TSH is produced in the pituitary gland. The production of TSH is controlled by thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), which is produced in the hypothalamus. TSH levels may be suppressed by excess free T3 (fT3) or free T4 (fT4) in the blood. History First-generation TSH assays were done by radioimmunoassay and were introduced in 1965. Third generation immunometric assay methods are typically automated. and hysteresis, and other past medical history. ==Thyroid hormones==
Thyroid hormones
Total thyroxine Total thyroxine is rarely measured, having been largely superseded by free thyroxine tests. Total thyroxine (Total T4) is generally elevated in hyperthyroidism and decreased in hypothyroidism. It is usually slightly elevated in pregnancy secondary to increased levels of thyroid binding globulin (TBG). Total T4 is measured to see the bound and unbound levels of T4. The total T4 is less useful in cases where there could be protein abnormalities. The total T4 is less accurate due to the large amount of T4 that is bound. The total T3 is measured in clinical practice since the T3 has decreased amount that is bound as compared to T4. Reference ranges depend on the method of analysis. Results should always be interpreted using the range from the laboratory that performed the test. Example values are: Free thyroxine Free thyroxine (fT4 or free T4) is generally elevated in hyperthyroidism and decreased in hypothyroidism. Reference ranges depend on the method of analysis. Results should always be interpreted using the range from the laboratory that performed the test. Example values are: Total triiodothyronine Total triiodothyronine (Total T3) is rarely measured, having been largely superseded by free T3 tests. Total T3 is generally elevated in hyperthyroidism and decreased in hypothyroidism. Reference ranges depend on the method of analysis. Results should always be interpreted using the range from the laboratory that performed the test. Example values are: Free triiodothyronine Free triiodothyronine (fT3 or free T3) is generally elevated in hyperthyroidism and decreased in hypothyroidism. Reference ranges depend on the method of analysis. Results should always be interpreted using the range from the laboratory that performed the test. Example values are: ==Carrier proteins==
Carrier proteins
Thyroxine-binding globulin An increased thyroxine-binding globulin results in an increased total thyroxine and total triiodothyronine without an actual increase in hormonal activity of thyroid hormones. Reference ranges: ==Thyroglobulin==
Thyroglobulin
Reference ranges: Other binding hormonesTransthyretin (prealbumin) • Albumin ==Protein binding function==
Protein binding function
Thyroid hormone uptake Thyroid hormone uptake (Tuptake or T3 uptake) is a measure of the unbound thyroxine binding globulins in the blood, that is, the TBG that is unsaturated with thyroid hormone. Unsaturated TBG increases with decreased levels of thyroid hormones. It is not directly related to triiodothyronine, despite the name T3 uptake. Reference ranges: Other protein binding testsThyroid Hormone Binding Ratio (THBR) • Thyroxine-binding index (TBI) ==Mixed parameters==
Mixed parameters
Free thyroxine index The Free Thyroxine Index (FTI or T7) is obtained by multiplying the total T4 with T3 uptake. FTI is considered to be a more reliable indicator of thyroid status in the presence of abnormalities in plasma protein binding. This test is rarely used now that reliable free thyroxine and free triiodothyronine assays are routinely available. FTI is elevated in hyperthyroidism and decreased in hypothyroidism. ==Calculated and structure parameters==
Calculated and structure parameters
Derived structure parameters that describe constant properties of the overall feedback control system may add useful information for special purposes, e.g. in diagnosis of nonthyroidal illness syndrome or central hypothyroidism. Secretory capacity (GT) Thyroid's secretory capacity (GT, also referred to as SPINA-GT) is the maximum stimulated amount of thyroxine the thyroid can produce in one second. GT is elevated in hyperthyroidism and reduced in hypothyroidism. GT is calculated with \hat G_T = {{\beta _T (D_T + [TSH])(1 + K_{41} [TBG] + K_{42} [TBPA])[FT_4 ]} \over {\alpha _T [TSH]}} or \hat G_T = {{\beta _T (D_T + [TSH])[TT_4 ]} \over {\alpha _T [TSH]}} \alpha _T: Dilution factor for T4 (reciprocal of apparent volume of distribution, 0.1 l−1) \beta _T: Clearance exponent for T4 (1.1e-6 sec−1) K41: Dissociation constant T4-TBG (2e10 L/mol) K42: Dissociation constant T4-TBPA (2e8 L/mol) DT: EC50 for TSH (2.75 mU/L) GD is obtained with \hat G_D = {{\beta _{31} (K_{M1} + [FT_4 ])(1 + K_{30} [TBG])[FT_3 ]} \over {\alpha _{31} [FT_4 ]}} or \hat G_D = {{\beta _{31} (K_{M1} + [FT_4 ])[TT_3 ]} \over {\alpha _{31} [FT_4 ]}} \alpha _{31}: Dilution factor for T3 (reciprocal of apparent volume of distribution, 0.026 L−1) \beta _{31}: Clearance exponent for T3 (8e-6 sec−1) KM1: Dissociation constant of type-1-deiodinase (5e-7 mol/L) K30: Dissociation constant T3-TBG (2e9 L/mol) It is reduced in thyrotropic insufficiency Somewhat similar to the TSH Index it is calculated from equilibrium values for TSH and FT4, however with a different equation. TFQI The Thyroid Feedback Quantile-based Index (TFQI) is another parameter for thyrotropic pituitary function. It was defined to be more robust to distorted data than JTI and TTSI. It is calculated with TFQI = F_{FT4}(FT4) - (1 - F_{TSH}(TSH)) from quantiles of FT4 and TSH concentration (as determined based on cumulative distribution functions). Per definition the TFQI has a mean of 0 and a standard deviation of 0.37 in a reference population. TFQI results are also elevated in takotsubo syndrome, potentially reflecting type 2 allostatic load in the situation of psychosocial stress. Reductions have been observed in subjects with schizophrenia after initiation of therapy with oxcarbazepine, potentially reflecting declining allostatic load. Reconstructed set point In healthy persons, the intra-individual variation of TSH and thyroid hormones is considerably smaller than the inter-individual variation. This results from a personal set point of thyroid homeostasis. In hypothyroidism, it is impossible to directly access the set point, but it can be reconstructed with methods of systems theory. A computerised algorithm, called Thyroid-SPOT, which is based on this mathematical theory, has been implemented in software applications. In patients undergoing thyroidectomy it could be demonstrated that this algorithm can be used to reconstruct the personal set point with sufficient precision. ==Effects of drugs==
Effects of drugs
Drugs can profoundly affect thyroid function tests. Listed below is a selection of important effects. ↓: reduced serum concentration or structure parameter; ↑: increased serum concentration or structure parameter; ↔: no change; TSH: Thyroid-stimulating hormone; T3: Total triiodothyronine; T4: Total thyroxine; fT4: Free thyroxine; fT3: Free triiodothyronine; rT3: Reverse triiodothyronine ==See also==
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