Thyroid Profile


The Thyroid gland produces your thyroid hormones that regulate many bodily functions. Thyroid function is governed by the Pituitary gland. The hormones measured in this profile are T4, T3, and TSH. Since these hormones influence how your body works, they are very important measurements. You can imagine the thyroid gland as a furnace and the pituitary gland as the thermostat. About 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease. Too much hormone produced is called hyperthyroidism and too little is call hypothyroidism. Conditions common with Hypothyroidism are fatigue, weight gain, constipation, depression, hair loss, and mental and memory impairment. Conditions common with Hyperthyroidism are nervousness and irritability, weight loss, frequency of bowel movement, impaired fertility, fatigue and muscle weakness, alterations in appetite, and menstrual disturbance.

T4 or Thyroxine. This hormone governs how rapidly the body burns food.

T3 Uptake. An indirect measure of thyroid activity.

FTI or Free Thyroxine Index. This is a calculated value which indicates how much active thyroxine is in circulation.

TSH or Thyroid Stimulating Hormone. This hormone originates in the Pituitary gland and governs how much T4or T3 is produces by the thyroid gland.