Thyroid Panel Test - 2 ( FT3, FT4, TSH)

Thyroid panel test is advised for patients suffering from hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. Symptoms of hypothyroidism include fatigue, increased sensitivity to cold, constipation, dry skin, weight gain, muscle weakness, and puffy face. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include unintentional weight loss, rapid heart rate, arrhythmia, palpitation, increased appetite, nervousness, and irritability. 

TSH levels are used for adjustment of dosages while treating thyroid hormone disease states.

A thyroid test is done for both men and women. This is done to evaluate the health of the thyroid gland. This is because today’s life is sedentary. So thyroid function is impaired. You may be asked to take a thyroid panel 2 test to:

·       Evaluate thyroid health - If you have been showing symptoms like weight loss or gain, muscle tiredness, fatigue, constipation, irregular menstruation, sub-fertility, enlarged thyroid gland, increased or decreased response to varying temperature, nervousness, palpitation, hypertension, etc. it could mean that you may have hypo or hyperthyroidism.

·       Follow-up with thyroid hormone replacement – If you have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism and have been prescribed medication, you may be asked to get your thyroid hormone levels tested to see if they are working for you.

·       Follow-up with anti-thyroid treatment – If you have been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, this test helps your doctor to see if the overactive thyroid gland responded to the treatment

·       Evaluate the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid axis – If you have been experiencing the above symptoms and have unexplained subfertility, assessing the HPT axis helps your doctor with suggesting the ideal treatment plan

·       Manage thyroid carcinoma

Thyroid panel test measures Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4) and free triiodothyronine (FT3). TSH results are the starting point of the diagnostic algorithm, the results show diurnal variation (test should be done at the same time of the day during follow-ups). FT4 is the second part of the algorithm and is evaluated if the results of TSH are abnormal. FT3 estimations are useful in some cases where FT4 is normal.

Thyroid panel test requires a blood sample. A tourniquet (elastic) band is placed tightly on the upper arm. The patient is then asked to make a fist. This helps in the build-up of blood filling the veins. The skin is disinfected before needle insertion and the blood sample is collected in a vacutainer. 

Results of TSH in a combination with FT4 are often used to diagnose primary and secondary causes of hypo & hyperthyroidism.

TSH high: FT4 low (primary hypothyroidism), FT4 high (secondary hyperthyroidism).
TSH low: FT4 low (secondary hypothyroidism), FT4 high (primary hyperthyroidism).

It is a simple blood test. It takes less than five minutes. Your doctor may tie an elastic band on your upper arm. This is to easily spot the vein and draw blood. He/she will then disinfect the area with alcohol. They use a needle to draw blood. The levels show diurnal variation. So the test is done at the same time during follow-ups.

The thyroid panel 2 test measures the levels of three hormones TSH, T3 and T4. These are indicative of the health of your thyroid gland

TSH gives a broad picture of thyroid health. FT4 gives a definitive indication. In cases where FT4 is normal, FT3 helps in assessing thyroid health.

TSH high: FT4 low (primary hypothyroidism), FT4 high (secondary hyperthyroidism)

TSH low: FT4 (secondary hypothyroidism), FT4 high (primary hyperthyroidism)

After assessing the test results, your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes. He may also prescribe medication or a treatment plan to treat your condition.

There are no precautions required before the thyroid panel 2 test. However, certain medications may interfere with the results. So, your doctor may ask you to avoid them a few days before the test. Speak with your doctor regarding, special requirements and precautions clearly before the test.

No. The thyroid panel 2 test is just a simple blood test. So there are no risks associated with the test.

A thyroid panel 2 test helps in assessing your thyroid health. If you have been facing changes in your weight, bowel movement, menstrual cycle and response to changing hot and cold temperatures, there is a possibility that your thyroid hormone levels are out of control.

Through your test results, your doctor will be able to find if you have hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. Depending on the levels, your doctor may suggest medication to stimulate thyroid hormone secretion or suppress the secretion, and lifestyle changes. He may also suggest a few more tests to understand your health in detail.

People with the following symptoms should take the thyroid panel 2 test:

·       Fatigue

·       Weight gain

·       Unintentional weight loss

·       Constipation

·       Frequent bowel movement

·       Dry and flaky skin

·       Dry and thinning hair

·       Sensitive to hot and cold temperatures

·       Heavy, painful and irregular menstruation

·       Sub-fertility

·       Depression

·       Slow heart rate

·       Anxiety, nervousness

·       Arrythmia or heart palpitations

·       Sweating

·       Shaky hands

·       Muscle weakness

·       Trouble sleeping

·       Goitre or enlarged thyroid gland

Thyroid Profile

Thyroid Function Test

Free Triiodothyronine (FT3)

Free Thyroxine (FT4)

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)