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Thyroid function tests (TFTs) is a collective term for blood tests used to check the function of the thyroid. [1] TFTs may be requested if a patient is thought to suffer from hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) or hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), or to monitor the effectiveness of either thyroid-suppression or hormone replacement therapy.
Any inappropriateness of measured values, for instance a low-normal TSH together with a low-normal T 4 may signal tertiary (central) disease and a TSH to TRH pathology. Elevated reverse T 3 (RT 3 ) together with low-normal TSH and low-normal T 3 , T 4 values, which is regarded as indicative for euthyroid sick syndrome, may also have to be ...
The TRH test involves administration of a small amount of TRH intravenously, [1] following which levels of TSH will be measured at several subsequent time points using samples of blood taken from a peripheral vein. [citation needed] The test is used in the differential diagnosis of secondary and tertiary hypothyroidism.
TSH levels are determined by a classic negative feedback system in which high levels of T3 and T4 suppress the production of TSH, and low levels of T3 and T4 increase the production of TSH. TSH levels are thus often used by doctors as a screening test, where the first approach is to determine whether TSH is elevated, suppressed, or normal. [25]
If the TSH level is normal or low and serum free T 4 levels are low, this is suggestive of central hypothyroidism (not enough TSH or TRH secretion by the pituitary gland or hypothalamus). There may be other features of hypopituitarism , such as menstrual cycle abnormalities and adrenal insufficiency .
Stress suppresses TSH, [5] and alterations in thyroid hormone levels may arise in psychiatric illness. In major depressive disorder, an NTIS-like phenotype may be observed, with reduced T3 and increased rT3. T4 may be elevated, and TSH is usually normal, although TSH's normal circadian rhythm may be disrupted. [2]
Thyroid hormones lead to heat generation in humans. However, the thyronamines function via some unknown mechanism to inhibit neuronal activity; this plays an important role in the hibernation cycles of mammals and the moulting behaviour of birds. One effect of administering the thyronamines is a severe drop in body temperature.
TSH is a hormone made by the pituitary gland in the brain that tells the thyroid gland how much hormone to make. When there is too much thyroid hormone, the TSH will be low. A radioactive iodine uptake test and thyroid scan together characterizes or enables radiologists and doctors to determine the cause of hyperthyroidism.