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Total triiodothyronine (Total T 3) is rarely measured, having been largely superseded by free T3 tests. Total T3 is generally elevated in hyperthyroidism and decreased in hypothyroidism. [2] Reference ranges depend on the method of analysis. Results should always be interpreted using the range from the laboratory that performed the test.
Affected patients may have normal, low, or slightly elevated TSH depending on the spectrum and phase of illness. Total T4 and T3 levels may be altered by binding protein abnormalities, and medications. Reverse T3 levels are generally increased, while FT3 is decreased. FT4 levels may have a transient increase, before becoming subnormal during ...
Free T3 and T4 measurements are important because certain drugs and illnesses can affect the concentrations of transport proteins, resulting in differing total and free thyroid hormone levels. There are differing guidelines for T3 and T4 measurements. Free T4 levels should be measured in the evaluation of hypothyroidism, and low free T4 ...
At the cellular level, T 3 is the body's more active and potent thyroid hormone. [2] T 3 helps deliver oxygen and energy to all of the body's cells, its effects on target tissues being roughly four times more potent than those of T 4. [2] Of the thyroid hormone that is produced, just about 20% is T 3, whereas 80% is produced as T 4.
A related parameter is the free thyroxine index, which is total T 4 multiplied by thyroid hormone uptake, which, in turn, is a measure of the unbound TBG. [75] Additionally, thyroid disorders can be detected prenatally using advanced imaging techniques and testing fetal hormone levels. [76]
The increase in kidney clearance during pregnancy causes more iodide to be excreted and causes relative iodine deficiency and as a result an increase in thyroid size. Estrogen-stimulated increase in thyroid-binding globulin (TBG) leads to an increase in total thyroxine (T4), but free thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) remain normal. [5]
Hypothyroidism is common in pregnancy with an estimated prevalence of 2-3% and 0.3-0.5% for subclinical and overt hypothyroidism respectively. [8] Endemic iodine deficiency accounts for most hypothyroidism in pregnant women worldwide while chronic autoimmune thyroiditis is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in iodine sufficient parts of the world.
However, as the two thyroid hormones travel bound to other molecules, and it is the "free" component that is biologically active, free T 3 and free T 4 levels can be measured. [84] T 3 is preferred, because in hypothyroidism T 3 levels may be normal. [84] The ratio of bound to unbound thyroid hormones is known as the thyroid hormone binding ...