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How much is the cost thyroid function test in Nigeria

September 10, 2020

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How much is the cost thyroid function test in Nigeria?….WHAT IS THYROID FUNCTION TEST?

T3, T4 and TSH TESTS – THYROID FUNCTION TEST

The T4 test and the TSH test are the two most common thyroid function tests. They’re usually requested together. Thyroid function test is a type of blood test done to assess the physiological function of the thyroid gland especially when a patient is showing symptoms suggestive of a thyroid disease or disorder.

The T4 test is known as the thyroxine test. A high level of T4 indicates an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism). Symptoms include anxiety, unplanned weight loss inspire of voracious eating, tremors, irregular menstrual period and diarrhea. Your doctor may decide to start treating you with drugs like carbimazole, propanolol, and diazepam to help relieve your symptoms and make you euthyroid.

Most of the T4 in your body is bound to protein. A small portion of T4 is not and this is called free T4. Free T4 is the form that is readily available for your body to use. Sometimes a free T4 level is also checked along with the T4 test.

The TSH test measures the level of thyroid-stimulating hormone in your blood. The TSH has a normal test range between 0.4 and 4.0 milli-international units of hormone per liter of blood (mIU/L).

If you show signs of hypothyroidism and have a TSH reading above 2.0 mIU/L, you’re at risk for progressing to hypothyroidism. Symptoms include weight gain, fatigue, depression, and brittle hair and fingernails.

Your doctor will likely want to perform thyroid function tests at least every other year going forward. Your doctor may also decide to begin treating you with medications, such as levothyroxine, to ease your symptoms.
Both the T4 and TSH tests are routinely performed on newborn babies to identify a low-functioning thyroid gland. If left untreated, this condition, called congenital hypothyroidism, can lead to developmental disabilities.

T3 results

The T3 test checks for levels of the hormone triiodothyronine. It’s usually ordered if T4 tests and TSH tests suggest hyperthyroidism. The T3 test may also be ordered if you’re showing signs of an overactive thyroid gland and your T4 and TSH aren’t elevated.

The normal range for the T3 is 100–200 nanograms of hormone per deciliter of blood (ng/dL). Abnormally high levels most commonly indicate a condition called Grave’s disease. This is an autoimmune disorder associated with hyperthyroidism.

T3 resin uptake results

A T3 resin uptake, also known as a T3RU, is a blood test that measures the binding capacity of a hormone called thyroxin-binding globulin (TBG). If your T3 level is elevated, your TBG binding capacity should be low.

Abnormally low levels of TBG often indicate a problem with the kidneys or with the body not getting enough protein. Abnormally high levels of TBG suggest high levels of estrogen in the body. High estrogen levels may be caused by pregnancy, eating estrogen-rich foods, obesity, or hormone replacement therapy.

Follow-up

If your blood work (thyroid function test) suggests that your thyroid gland is overactive or underactive, your doctor may order a thyroid uptake test or an ultrasound test. These tests will check for structural problems with the thyroid gland, thyroid gland activity, and any tumors that may be causing problems. Based on these findings, your doctor may want to sample tissue from the thyroid to check for cancer.

If the scan is normal, your doctor will likely prescribe medication to regulate your thyroid activity. They will follow up with additional thyroid function tests to make sure the medication is working.