Dear, these are some of the thyroid markers.

TSH – The most common marker used to asses thyroid function and the most sensitive. This hormone is released by the pituitary when it gets the signal from the hypothalamus. TSH levels increase when T4 levels drop, and TSH decreases when T4 levels are elevated.  Sometimes this is the only marker your doctor will order.

T4 – This is the most prevalent form of thyroid hormone made by the thyroid gland. Levels of T4 in the blood act as the feedback loop for the brain and signal it to stop producing TSH. The vast majority of it is bound to carrier proteins. It is considered metabolically inactive, and must be converted to its active form to be used by cells to regulate metabolism. Typically the only other marker tested other than TSH.

T3 – The active thyroid hormone. If it is not directly made in the thyroid gland, then conversion takes place in the liver, kidney, and GI tract. The majority of T3 is bound to carrier proteins.  Once unbound, T3 acts directly on the cell nucleus to regulate the metabolism of that cell.

Free T4 – This is the unbound version of T4. This marker can be influenced by thyroid hormone replacement, chronic illness, as well as disorders that affect the amount of carrier proteins.

Free T3 – The unbound form of T3. This is the best marker to see what amount of active thyroid hormones are available for the cells. This can be effected by stress, thyroid disorders, and pregnancy.

Reverse T3 – This version of T3 is metabolically inactive. Reverse T3 is only typically produced in cases of extreme stress such as surgery or trauma. Chronic stress can also cause the production of Reverse T3, thereby masking the adrenal issue and looking like a dysfunctional thyroid.

T3 Uptake – This measures the number of sites for T3 to bind to for carrier proteins. These are the sites that allow T3 to be transported throughout the body to be used by cells that need it. This marker is influenced by sex hormones such as testosterone and estrogen.

Thyroxine-Binding Globulin (TBG) – This is the amount of proteins in the blood that carry thyroid hormones to the cells. This marker can be influenced by infections, liver dysfunction, HRT, birth control, steroids, prednisone, aspirin, and pregnancy.

TPO Antibodies – Most commonly marker elevated with autoimmune thyroid.  90% of thyroid issues are autoimmune related.  This marker is rarely tested since there is no pharmaceutical drug to fix the problem, only lifestyle.

Anti-thyroglobulin Antibodies – Not as commonly elevated with an autoimmune thyroid condition. During thyroid cancer treatment, this marker is routinely evaluated.

Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulin – These antibodies are elevated with an autoimmune thyroid condition called Grave’s disease. This marker indicates a hyperthyroid state.

Dear, these are some of the thyroid markers.

TSH – The most common marker used to asses thyroid function and the most sensitive. This hormone is released by the pituitary when it gets the signal from the hypothalamus. TSH levels increase when T4 levels drop, and TSH decreases when T4 levels are elevated.  Sometimes this is the only marker your doctor will order.

T4 – This is the most prevalent form of thyroid hormone made by the thyroid gland. Levels of T4 in the blood act as the feedback loop for the brain and signal it to stop producing TSH. The vast majority of it is bound to carrier proteins. It is considered metabolically inactive, and must be converted to its active form to be used by cells to regulate metabolism. Typically the only other marker tested other than TSH.

T3 – The active thyroid hormone. If it is not directly made in the thyroid gland, then conversion takes place in the liver, kidney, and GI tract. The majority of T3 is bound to carrier proteins.  Once unbound, T3 acts directly on the cell nucleus to regulate the metabolism of that cell.

Free T4 – This is the unbound version of T4. This marker can be influenced by thyroid hormone replacement, chronic illness, as well as disorders that affect the amount of carrier proteins.

Free T3 – The unbound form of T3. This is the best marker to see what amount of active thyroid hormones are available for the cells. This can be effected by stress, thyroid disorders, and pregnancy.

Reverse T3 – This version of T3 is metabolically inactive. Reverse T3 is only typically produced in cases of extreme stress such as surgery or trauma. Chronic stress can also cause the production of Reverse T3, thereby masking the adrenal issue and looking like a dysfunctional thyroid.

T3 Uptake – This measures the number of sites for T3 to bind to for carrier proteins. These are the sites that allow T3 to be transported throughout the body to be used by cells that need it. This marker is influenced by sex hormones such as testosterone and estrogen.

Thyroxine-Binding Globulin (TBG) – This is the amount of proteins in the blood that carry thyroid hormones to the cells. This marker can be influenced by infections, liver dysfunction, HRT, birth control, steroids, prednisone, aspirin, and pregnancy.

TPO Antibodies – Most commonly marker elevated with autoimmune thyroid.  90% of thyroid issues are autoimmune related.  This marker is rarely tested since there is no pharmaceutical drug to fix the problem, only lifestyle.

Anti-thyroglobulin Antibodies – Not as commonly elevated with an autoimmune thyroid condition. During thyroid cancer treatment, this marker is routinely evaluated.

Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulin – These antibodies are elevated with an autoimmune thyroid condition called Grave’s disease. This marker indicates a hyperthyroid state.

Please mention which abnormalities you are willing to observe. Are they hypo or hyper thyroidism related, or malignancy related or congenital Depending on that marker will change bur for routine screening fT4 AND TSH are enough to proceed.

We start with TSH and TPOAb to evaluate thyroid function in all patients and then continue with FT4 if TSH is abnormal.