TH-1. Hyperthyroidism

The TH-1. Hyperthyroidism panel contains 3 tests with 4 biomarkers.

Brief Description: The TH-1 Hyperthyroidism panel is designed to evaluate the thyroid gland's function, specifically focusing on conditions associated with an overactive thyroid, such as hyperthyroidism. This panel includes three critical tests: T3 Free, T4 Free, and Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), each providing valuable insights into thyroid health and its systemic effects.

Collection Method: Blood Draw

Specimen Type: Serum

Test Preparation: Specifc to TSH: Specimen collection after fluorescein dye angiography should be delayed for at least 3 days. For patients on hemodialysis, specimen collection should be delayed for 2 weeks.

According to the assay manufacturer Siemens: "Samples containing fluorescein can produce falsely depressed values when tested with the Advia Centaur TSH3 Ultra assay."

When and Why the TH-1 Hyperthyroidism Panel May Be Ordered

This panel is typically ordered when a patient exhibits symptoms suggestive of hyperthyroidism, which may include weight loss, palpitations, increased sweating, heat intolerance, and anxiety. It is also ordered to monitor the treatment efficacy in patients diagnosed with hyperthyroidism or those undergoing thyroid hormone suppression therapy.

What the TH-1 Hyperthyroidism Panel Checks For

• T3 Free (Free Triiodothyronine): Measures the unbound T3 hormone in the bloodstream, reflecting the body's metabolic rate. Elevated levels of free T3 are often seen in hyperthyroidism, indicating excessive thyroid hormone production.

• T4 Free (Free Thyroxine): Assesses the level of unbound T4 in the blood. T4 is a precursor to T3 and is produced in larger quantities by the thyroid gland. High levels of free T4 can indicate hyperthyroidism or an overactive thyroid.

• Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH): Produced by the pituitary gland, TSH regulates thyroid hormone production. In hyperthyroidism, TSH levels are typically low due to negative feedback from high thyroid hormone levels on the pituitary gland.

Getting a Deeper Understanding of Your Thyroid Health

While the TH-1 Hyperthyroidism panel provides essential insights into thyroid function, the TH-2, TH-3, and TH-4 panels offer a more comprehensive assessment of the thyroid's impact on overall health and additional factors that may contribute to or result from thyroid dysfunction.

• TH-2 Hyperthyroidism Panel: Expands the TH-1 panel by including tests that assess general health and other conditions that could be influenced by or contribute to hyperthyroidism. This includes a Complete Blood Count, Comprehensive Metabolic Panel, and vitamins, which can help identify anemia, liver, kidney function, and nutritional deficiencies that may accompany thyroid disorders.

• TH-3 Hyperthyroidism Panel: Builds on the TH-2 panel by adding thyroid antibody tests, which are crucial for diagnosing autoimmune conditions like Graves' disease, a common cause of hyperthyroidism. The inclusion of vitamins B12 and B6 further aids in evaluating peripheral neuropathies and general metabolic health.

• TH-4 Hyperthyroidism Panel: The most extensive panel, TH-4 includes all the tests in TH-3 and introduces TSH Receptor Binding Antibody and Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulin tests, critical for diagnosing and managing Graves' disease. This panel is ideal for patients with complex presentations or for whom a comprehensive evaluation of thyroid function and its autoimmune aspects is necessary.

Conditions or Diseases the TH-1 Hyperthyroidism Panel Can Check For

The TH-1 Hyperthyroidism panel is primarily used to diagnose and manage hyperthyroidism, including Graves' disease, toxic nodular goiter, and thyroiditis. Elevated levels of T3 and T4 with suppressed TSH are indicative of hyperthyroidism. This panel can also help in the differential diagnosis of thyrotoxicosis and in monitoring the effectiveness of antithyroid treatments.

Use of TH-1 Hyperthyroidism Panel Results by Healthcare Professionals

Healthcare professionals use the TH-1 panel results to diagnose hyperthyroidism, determine its severity, and guide treatment decisions. Low TSH combined with high T3 and T4 levels typically confirms hyperthyroidism. These results also help in monitoring the treatment efficacy in hyperthyroid patients, guiding adjustments in medication dosages, and assessing the response to antithyroid therapies.

The TH-1 Hyperthyroidism panel plays a crucial role in the initial assessment and ongoing management of hyperthyroidism, offering a focused approach to understanding thyroid function. By evaluating the levels of key thyroid hormones and stimulating hormones, healthcare providers can diagnose hyperthyroid conditions, tailor treatment plans, and monitor the effectiveness of interventions. For a more comprehensive evaluation of thyroid health and its broader impacts, the expanded panels TH-2, TH-3, and TH-4 provide additional insights into the complex interrelations between thyroid function, autoimmune activity, and overall metabolic health.

We advise having your results reviewed by a licensed medical healthcare professional for proper interpretation of your results.