Which is a better test total T3 or free T3?

Total T3 is considered by many experts to be a more reliable measurement than free T3. Total T3 may be used to help diagnose hyperthyroidism or a pituitary gland disorder, evaluate the cause of an overactive thyroid, and monitor a patient’s response to treatment of hyperthyroidism.

Is total T3 and free T3 the same?

Since most T3 is bound to protein, the total T3 can be affected by protein levels and protein binding ability, but the free T3 is not. However, some professional guidelines recommend the total T3, so either test may be used to assess thyroid function.

Is T3 and FT3 the same?

FT3 assays are highly sensitive and able to determine the unbound quantities of T3 down to picogram levels. As such, determination of FT3 levels are considered useful in the assessment of thyroid disease differentiation.

What is free T3 levels mean?

If your results show high total T3 levels or high free T3 levels, it may mean you have hyperthyroidism. Low T3 levels may mean you have hypothyroidism, a condition in which your body doesn’t make enough thyroid hormone. T3 test results are often compared with T4 and TSH test results to help diagnose thyroid disease.

Which is more important FT3 or FT4?

FT3 is a good brother of FT4, they together play the role of thyroid hormones. According to FT3 and FT4 results which are high or low, you can directly determine the hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. The biggest feature of TSH is the opposite of FT3 and FT4, which the higher the FT3 / FT4, the lower the TSH.

What are symptoms of low free T3?

Other possible symptoms include:

  • weakness and fatigue.
  • difficulty sleeping.
  • increased sensitivity to heat or cold.
  • weight loss or gain.
  • dry or puffy skin.
  • dry, irritated, puffy, or bulging eyes.
  • hair loss.
  • hand tremors.

What is difference between total thyroid and free thyroid?

A Total T4 measures the bound and free hormone and can change when binding proteins differ (see above). A Free T4 measures what is not bound and able to enter and affect the body tissues.

What happens if free T3 is low?

Low T3 test results can indicate an underactive thyroid, or hypothyroidism. Sometimes, low T3 can also indicate starvation. According to the ATA, a person can develop an underactive thyroid due to autoimmune disease, or as a result of radiation treatment or thyroid surgery.

What is the best time for thyroid test?

I recommend getting your thyroid function tests done first thing in the morning, bringing your medications with you, and taking them right after you have your thyroid function tests to ensure that you get accurate test results.

What blood tests show thyroid problems?

A blood test measuring your hormone levels is the only accurate way to find out whether there’s a problem. The test, called a thyroid function test, looks at levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroxine (T4) in the blood. Doctors may refer to this as “free” T4 (FT4).