Thyroid function tests

Thyroid function test

One way to evaluate the performance of the thyroid is through blood testing. The thyroid function test is a group of common tests used to evaluate how the thyroid is functioning..

Definition

Thyroid function tests are common tests used to tell how well your thyroid is working.

See the following articles for details:

References

Ladenson P, Kim M. Thyroid. In: Goldman L and Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders; 2007:chap 244.

See also:

  • Test

    T4 test

    Blood test

    T4 (thyroxine) is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland. A laboratory test can be done to measure the amount of T4 in your blood.

  • Test

    TSH test

    Endocrine glands

    A TSH test measures the amount of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in your blood. TSH is produced by the pituitary gland and tells the thyroid gland to make and release the hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). See also:

  • Test

    TSI

    TSI stands for thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin. TSI stimulates the thyroid gland to enlarge and release excess amounts of thyroid hormone. This article discusses the test to determine the amount of TSI in your blood.

  • Test

    Thyroid scan

    Thyroid enlargement - scintiscan

    A thyroid scan is a that uses a radioactive iodine tracer to see how well the thyroid gland is working.

  • Test

    T3 test

    Triiodothyronine (T3) is a thyroid hormone. It plays an important role in the body’s control of metabolism. A laboratory test can be done to measure the amount of T3 in your blood. See also:

  • Test

    T3RU test

    The T3RU test measures the level of proteins that carry thyroid hormone in the blood.

Review date:
April 20, 2010
Reviewed by:
Ari S. Eckman, MD, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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