The following is a list of what is included in the item above. Click the test(s) below to view what biomarkers are measured along with an explanation of what the biomarker is measuring.
Also known as: Triiodothyronine
Also known as: Free T3, FT3, T3 Free
Also known as: T4 Thyroxine Total
Also known as: Free T4, FT4, T4 Free
Also known as: Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Thyrotropin
The Thyroid Health - Basic Plus Lab Panel panel contains 6 tests with 10 biomarkers.
Brief Description: The Thyroid Health - Basic Plus Lab panel is an intermediate-level diagnostic tool designed to provide a more comprehensive assessment of thyroid function compared to the Basic Lab panel. It includes six key tests: T3 Total, T3 Uptake, T3 Free, T4 Total, T4 Free, and Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH). This panel offers a broader perspective on thyroid hormone levels, thyroid gland activity, and pituitary gland feedback, aiding in the diagnosis and management of thyroid disorders.
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."
The Thyroid Health - Basic Plus Lab panel is typically ordered when healthcare providers suspect thyroid dysfunction based on clinical symptoms or when follow-up testing is required after initial screening with the Basic Lab panel. It is especially useful for individuals with symptoms such as fatigue, weight changes, mood swings, or an enlarged thyroid gland (goiter). This panel allows for a more detailed evaluation of thyroid health.
T3 Total: Measures the total amount of triiodothyronine (T3) hormone in the blood, including both the bound and free forms. T3 plays a crucial role in regulating metabolism and energy production.
T3 Uptake: Assesses the availability of binding proteins for T3, providing information on the capacity to transport T3 in the bloodstream.
T3 Free: Specifically measures the free, unbound T3 hormone, which is biologically active and available for use by the body's cells. Elevated or decreased levels can indicate thyroid dysfunction.
T4 Total: Measures the total amount of thyroxine (T4) hormone in the blood, including both bound and free T4. T4 is a key thyroid hormone involved in regulating metabolism.
T4 Free: Specifically measures the free, unbound T4 hormone, which is the biologically active form available for cellular uptake.
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH): Produced by the pituitary gland, TSH regulates the thyroid's production of T3 and T4. Elevated TSH levels may indicate an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), while low TSH levels may suggest an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).
While the Basic Plus Lab panel offers a more comprehensive view of thyroid function, the Advanced and Comprehensive panels provide even greater insights and are suitable for complex cases.
Thyroid Health - Advanced Lab Panel: Adds T3 Reverse, Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies, and Thyroglobulin Antibodies tests. This panel is ideal for individuals with suspected autoimmune thyroid diseases, providing insights into autoimmune aspects and reverse T3 levels, which can indicate thyroid dysfunction.
Thyroid Health - Comprehensive Lab Panel: The most extensive panel, it encompasses all tests from the Advanced Lab panel and introduces Thyroxine Binding Globulin and Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulin tests. This panel offers the most thorough assessment of thyroid health, including hormone transport and thyroid autoimmunity, suitable for complex thyroid conditions.
The Basic Plus Lab panel can detect a range of thyroid disorders, including hypothyroidism (elevated TSH and low T4 or T3 levels) and hyperthyroidism (low TSH and elevated T4 or T3 levels). It can also identify cases where thyroid hormone transport or binding proteins are affected.
Healthcare professionals use the results of the Basic Plus Lab panel to diagnose thyroid disorders, determine their severity, and guide treatment decisions. Abnormal findings may lead to further testing, medication adjustments, or referrals to endocrinologists. For example, elevated TSH and low T4 levels may indicate primary hypothyroidism, prompting thyroid hormone replacement therapy.
The Thyroid Health - Basic Plus Lab panel provides valuable insights into thyroid function, helping healthcare professionals identify and manage thyroid disorders more effectively. By assessing a broader spectrum of thyroid hormones and pituitary feedback, this panel aids in diagnosing various thyroid conditions and guides treatment decisions, ultimately improving patient outcomes and overall thyroid health.
We advise having your results reviewed by a licensed medical healthcare professional for proper interpretation of your results.