It's no secret that the thyroid gland is an extremely important part of the endocrine system. It is with its help that the regulation of the main metabolic processes in the body occurs. And at the slightest suspicion of a particular organ disease, special tests are needed. Today, many patients are interested in the question of how to take an analysis for thyroid hormones. Where and how is the procedure performed? What is the price of a thyroid hormone test ? Can I decrypt the results myself?
Why donate blood samples for thyroid hormones?
This study is often used in modern medical practice. Many people daily face the appointment of "analysis of thyroid hormones." What is it and why is it needed?
Such testing allows you to evaluate the activity of the thyroid gland, determine the presence of diseases or disorders, and, of course, make the correct diagnosis. In fact, the study is used to diagnose two conditions - hyperthyroidism (increased hormone synthesis) and hypothyroidism (decreased hormone levels). After all, if at least one gland does not work correctly, this affects the functioning of the entire endocrine system.
Indications for the study
Of course, the analysis is carried out with suspected presence of hypo- or hyperthyroidism, since both of these conditions are accompanied by very characteristic symptoms. In addition, the following are considered indications for the analysis:
- The presence of goiter.
- Baldness for no apparent reason.
- Cardiac arrhythmia.
- Slowing down mental, physical, or sexual development in children.
- Lack of menstruation.
- Male and female infertility.
- Decreased sexual desire, impotence.
- Analyzes are also carried out to monitor the effectiveness of therapy for hypothyroidism.
- Indications are some diseases of the cardiovascular system that cannot be treated with standard methods.
- The study is prescribed for the diagnosis of various autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, dermatomyositis, lupus erythematosus, systemic scleroderma.
- Often the test is carried out for women during pregnancy, since during this period different health problems sometimes arise.
Thyroid Hormone Test: Preparation
As with any other study, some preparation is required in this case. By the way, it is very important, because the reliability of the results and, accordingly, the correct diagnosis depend on this. Of course, the attending physician will talk about how to prepare and how to take. Thyroid hormones are extremely “capricious” - their level can change under the influence of even small factors. That is why compliance with the following rules is very important. So how to get tested for thyroid hormones? Preparation includes the following requirements:
- Before blood sampling, it is not recommended to take drugs that can affect the functioning of the gland. These include thyreostatics and hormonal medications. Ideally, blood is not taken earlier than four weeks after the end of the medication. Unfortunately, drug withdrawal is not always possible. If you have to conduct testing during therapy, be sure to inform the doctor so that he can make an appropriate amendment in the results of the tests.
- Another substance that can affect the functioning of the gland is iodine. Therefore, if you are taking any medications containing this element (for example, "Iodomarin"), then at least a few days before blood sampling, you should stop using them. By the way, iodine is also found in many multivitamin preparations. After all, the work of the gland and the amount of hormones synthesized by it depend on the level of iodine absorbed by its tissues.
- 1-2 days before blood sampling, it is worth adjusting the diet by excluding fatty foods from it. In addition, it is worth abandoning alcohol, as this can distort the results of the tests.
- Physical activity also affects the functioning of the thyroid gland, therefore, 1-2 days before the procedure, you should avoid physical activity or intense training.
- It's no secret that the emotional state also affects the hormonal background, so mental stress is contraindicated.
- It is forbidden to smoke on the day of blood sampling.
How to take a thyroid hormone test ?
Samples can only be taken on an empty stomach, as even a cup of tea can affect the results of the study. That is why in clinics, as a rule, blood is taken from the morning until eleven o'clock. At least half an hour before the procedure, the patient should spend in a relatively calm physical and emotional state.
How to take a thyroid hormone test? This requires blood from a vein. The fence is carried out according to the generally accepted scheme. First, the medical officer puts a tourniquet on the shoulder, and then treats the skin with an antiseptic, leads the needle into the saphenous vein and takes the necessary amount of blood. Samples are sent to the laboratory for further research. The results are usually ready the very next day.
What indicators pay attention to?
Everyone knows that during a laboratory test, thyroid hormones are determined. Which substances are important for diagnosis? What do all the abbreviations with which the results form is written mean? So, during testing, attention is paid to the following substances:
- One of the main substances synthesized by the thyroid gland is triiodothyronine, which is indicated by the abbreviation T3. This biologically active substance is secreted by specific thyroid cells and performs many important functions. In particular, it controls almost all redox processes, and also actively participates in metabolism and body growth processes.
- Another thyroid-producing hormone is thyroxine or T4. This substance performs almost the same functions as triiodothyronine. But it is almost ten times more active. Nevertheless, it is extremely important not only the amount of each of the hormones, but also their ratio.
- The studies also find out the amount of thyroid-stimulating hormone (abbreviated TSH), which is secreted by the pituitary gland of the brain and regulates the synthetic activity of the thyroid gland. Indeed, sometimes problems are associated not with thyroid disease, but with impaired secretion in the pituitary gland.
- Another important indicator is antibodies to thyroperoxidase. Normally, the thyroid gland produces an enzyme - thyroperoxidase, which is involved in the synthesis of T3 and T4. But with some diseases (for example, autoimmune processes), the body begins to produce antibodies to its own structures, which is not too good.
- For the diagnosis of autoimmune diseases, the amount of antibodies to thyroglobulin is also important (this is a substance that is a precursor of the main thyroid hormones).
What are the normal test results?
If you donated blood to thyroid hormones, then you are probably interested in whether your results are normal, that is, what values are considered normal. The level of free T3 most often ranges from 2.6 to 5.7 mmol / L. Free T4 should be equal to 9.0-22.0 mmol / L. Thyroid-stimulating hormone should be present in the following amounts: 0.4–4.0 mU / l. As for antibodies to thyroglobulin, their number should not exceed 18 U / ml. The level of antibodies to thyroid peroxidase should be below 5.6 U / ml.
But do not despair if your results do not correspond to the above measurements, since in this case everything is relative. Only the attending physician will be able to correctly decipher the obtained indicators and determine the presence of violations. After all, some other factors also matter here, including gender, age, the presence of certain diseases, congenital characteristics of the body, drugs taken, etc.
What is the evidence of elevated hormone levels?
Now that you have figured out how to take an analysis for thyroid hormones, it is worth asking what the deviations from the norm mean. For example, in some people, T3 and T4 levels are elevated. An excess of thyroid hormones indicates the development of hyperthyroidism.
Such a violation is accompanied by severe metabolic failures - the metabolism is accelerated, which is accompanied by large weight loss, increased heart rate, increased sweating, trembling in the body, etc. Of course, the doctor will need additional studies to determine the exact cause of hyperthyroidism.
If we are talking about increasing the level of antibodies to enzymes and hormone precursors, then this may indicate the presence of some autoimmune diseases.
Hormone levels lowered - is it dangerous?
A drop in hormone levels is often observed against a background of chronic iodine deficiency, although there may be other reasons. In any case, hypothyroidism is dangerous to human health.
A similar disorder is accompanied by a slowdown in metabolic processes. People often complain of lethargy, drowsiness, slow heartbeat, overweight, and a decrease in body temperature. In any case, it is worthwhile to understand that in order to make an accurate diagnosis, the doctor will need additional tests, including ultrasound of the gland, etc.
Why donate blood during pregnancy?
Quite often, doctors prescribe an analysis for thyroid hormones during pregnancy. And there are good reasons for this. Indeed, literally from the first days of pregnancy, the work of the thyroid gland changes. The laying of the fetal organs, their growth and development - all this to one degree or another is provided due to the activity of thyroxine and triiodothyronine. Normally, hormone production in the first months of pregnancy increases by almost 30-50%.
But, unfortunately, it is thyroid disease that is one of the most frequent complications at this time. All chronic disorders begin to worsen, as well as those diseases that the woman did not even realize about (many thyroid diseases in the initial stages proceed without visible symptoms). According to statistics, about 45% of pregnant women experience some kind of endocrine system disorder. That is why research is so necessary.
Where can I get tested?
If you need to donate blood to thyroid hormones, then you are probably interested in the question of where such a study can be done. In most clinics, such tests do not. It is best to ask your doctor about this issue - he knows exactly where you can go through the procedure in your city. Most often, tests are carried out in hospitals, clinics, as well as private medical centers and private laboratories.
How much does a lab test cost?
How much does it cost to donate blood to thyroid hormones? This is another interesting question. Cost depends on many factors. To begin with, it is worth noting that the price of analysis for thyroid hormones can fluctuate depending on how many substances need to be investigated. Well, and, of course, the pricing policy of the institution itself affects the cost. A comprehensive blood test can cost about 1,500 to 5,000 rubles.