As of: March 9, 2024, 6:03 p.m
By: Natalie Hull-Deichsel
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If you have certain symptoms and you suspect a thyroid disease, a blood test should be done.
What role TSH, T3 and T4 play in this.
Those affected often only find out how important the thyroid is for vital bodily functions when they see a doctor - either because they come to the practice with complaints or because an examination - of the blood and ultrasound - reveals abnormalities.
In many cases, patients complain of constant fatigue - one of the main symptoms of thyroid disease - which should make doctors take notice.
Women are much more likely to be affected by diseases such as Hashimoto's or hypothyroidism than men.
If there is also a lack of motivation, sensitivity to cold, weight gain or, in women, a noticeable difficulty in becoming pregnant, there is a concrete suspicion that this could be related to a disturbed thyroid function.
If thyroid tests show abnormalities, this may indicate an illness - which values are normal and which are abnormal.
Thyroid: What the hormones do in the regulatory system
The thyroid hormones TSH as well as T3 and T4 are determined via the blood serum.
© Science Photo Library/Imago
The thyroid normally releases certain amounts of hormones into the blood on a regular basis.
The so-called thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) from the pituitary gland controls the activity of the thyroid gland and stimulates the production of the two hormones triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), as it is called at
Umschau pharmacies
.
Among other things, T3 and T4 regulate oxygen consumption in the cells, control metabolism, control cardiac output and intestinal activity - basically, the thyroid hormones influence the functionality of all organs.
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As soon as the thyroid releases the hormones, they are bound to transport protein molecules and reach the organs via the blood, with a particular effect on:
Energy metabolism
body weight
cardiac activity
Blood pressure
Metabolism (fat, protein, cholesterol, muscles)
Insulin production
digestion
Growth and maturation of the unborn child
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Thyroid: Which hormone values are measured
When checking the thyroid levels, only the TSH value from the blood serum is usually determined and examined.
If this does not reveal any abnormalities, it is assumed that T3 and T4 are also within the normal range.
However, if the TSH value deviates from the norm, measure it again.
If it goes out of line again, the unbound, free thyroid hormones fT3 and fT4 are tested.
The normal values of thyroid hormones are as follows:
Thyroid hormones |
Normal value in blood serum |
TSH basal |
0.27 - 4.20 µIU/ml |
free T3 (fT3) |
2.5 - 4.4 ng/l (3.9-6.7 pmol/l) |
Overall T3 |
0.8 - 1.8 µg/l (1.2–2.8 nmol/l) |
free T4 (fT4) |
9.9 - 16 ng/l (12.7-20.8 pmol/l) |
Total T4 |
56 - 123 µg/l (72–158 nmol/l) |
Source: Netdoctor
Abnormal thyroid values: diseases that could be behind it
Due to abnormal values, there is now suspicion of a possible dysfunction of the thyroid gland.
If the TSH values are persistently outside the norm, further diagnostic tests usually follow in order to obtain a diagnosis.
If there may be an autoimmune thyroid disease, specific antibodies (antibodies) can be detected in the blood.
Possible diseases that can cause thyroid dysfunction include:
Autoimmune disease Hashimoto (Hashimoto thyroiditis)
Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
Autoimmune disease Graves' disease
In Germany, around five out of 100 people suffer from hypothyroidism, which results in reduced or absent production of the thyroid hormones T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (levothyroxine).
At the same time, the level of the regulating hormone TSH is increased.
The most common cause of this hypothyroidism is Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
In Germany, hyperthyroidism affects around one percent of the population.
In most cases, this metabolic disorder is caused by the autoimmune disease Graves' disease or a dysfunction of the thyroid gland.
Women are five to ten times more likely to suffer from hyperthyroidism than men.
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. It in no way replaces a visit to the doctor. Our editorial team is not allowed to answer individual questions about medical conditions.