The thyroid gland, a small, butterfly-shaped organ at the front of your neck, plays a crucial role in your metabolism and affects almost every organ in your body. The hormones it produces, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), regulate numerous bodily functions, including your heart rate and how quickly your body burns calories.
Here we provide a brief and simple overview of how the thyroid gland works and possible over- and under-functions. If you are looking for more detailed information, we recommend the article from gesundheitsinformation.de and a visit to the website of the German Thyroid Center.
To monitor and assess thyroid function, three key values are used, which are also included in our thyroid test test: thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (fT4) and free triiodothyronine (fT3).
TSH is produced by the pituitary gland and regulates the production of T4 and T3 in the thyroid gland. A high TSH value often indicates an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), as the body tries to stimulate the thyroid gland to produce more hormones. A low TSH value can indicate hyperthyroidism, in which the thyroid gland produces too many hormones.
fT4 and fT3 are the active forms of thyroid hormones in the blood. Their values provide information on how much active hormone is available to act in the body’s cells.
The basal TSH level refers to the concentration of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in the blood under basal or resting conditions, typically after an overnight fasting period. The measurement of this value is often carried out as part of a routine examination or if a thyroid disorder is suspected.
Normal TSH values may vary slightly depending on the laboratory, but in general the values in the table are considered normal.
It is important to note that age, gender, pregnancy and certain medications can affect TSH levels, so results should always be interpreted by a physician in the context of other clinical information.
Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones. This leads to a slowing down of metabolic processes in the body. Symptoms can develop gradually and include
This contrasts with hyperthyroidism, in which the thyroid gland produces too many hormones, which speeds up the metabolism. The symptoms include:
Since many of the above symptoms can also occur in other health conditions, a careful diagnosis through blood tests and a medical examination is crucial. Measuring thyroid hormone levels (TSH, fT4 and fT3) enables doctors to make an accurate diagnosis and initiate appropriate treatment.
Early detection and treatment of thyroid dysfunction can not only alleviate the symptoms mentioned above, but also reduce the risk of long-term health problems. If you suspect you are suffering from a thyroid disorder, it is important to consult your doctor to get an appropriate examination and treatment.
With Probatix you can reliably measure the three important values with our thyroid test test.
The thyroid gland, although small, has a powerful effect on our health and well-being. Regular monitoring of thyroid levels not only helps to detect disorders at an early stage, but also enables appropriate treatment to improve quality of life. If you notice symptoms of thyroid dysfunction or have questions about your thyroid health, do not hesitate to consult your doctor.
This brief overview should give you an initial insight into the importance of thyroid health and the role of TSH, fT4 and fT3. It is always advisable to consult medical professionals if you have any further questions or concerns.
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