Thyroid function tests (TFTs) and labs explained easily in under 7 minutes (ish). First, we’ll be looking at the thyroid hormonal excess and once you understand the key players we’ll move on to see how I look at thyroid blood lab results. Learn how to interpret TFTs and to see if a patient has hypothyroid, euthyroid, or hyperthyroid.
Now the tricky part – how to read and analyze the blood tests when it comes to thyroid function tests (TFTs). Simples – watch the video and here are some timestamps to help guide you along the way.
0:00 – Intro
0:33 – Thyroid Hormonal Axis/The hypothalamic pituitary thyroid axis
1:26 – Primary care blood tests done in the UK
1:43 – Hyperthyroidism (Primary and secondary)
3:34 – Hypothyroidism (Primary and secondary)
5:03 – Subclinical hypothyroid/ subclinical hyperthyroid
6:34 – Outro – take attempt 675 (ish)
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Thyroid Hormonal Axis:
The hypothalamus in the brain releases TRH (thyroid releasing hormone), which in turn stimulates the pituitary gland to release TSH (Thyroid secreting hormone. This pretty much does what it says on the tin. It goes to the thyroid gland and – yup you guessed it stimulates it to create T4 and T3. This, in turn, acts as a negative feedback loop back to the hypothalamus and the circle of life is complete folks!
High levels T4/T3 will slam the brakes and reduce the TRH and TSH production. Likewise low levels of T4/T3 then TRH and TSH levels rise – in order to normalize the low T4/T3.
What are normal T3, T4 and TSH (thyroid function test results)? In the UK this can vary between labs so check locally. My local labs have the following results:
TFT Normal Ranges:
TSH 0.4 – 4.0 mU/l (milliunits per litre)
FT4 9.0 – 25.0Â Â pmol/l (picomoles per litre)
FT3 3.5 – 7.8 pmol/l (picomoles per litre)
From: https://www.btf-thyroid.org/thyroid-function-tests
All information included is for educational purposes and not for medical use, application, or advice. Please use your own clinical judgment and local protocols. Phew, now that boring legal stuff is out of the way…
If you’re new here – Hey, I’m Khalid and I work as a family physician or General Practioner here in London. Follow my journey as I reflect on the lessons learnt from my time as a pre-med, medical student, junior doctor, GP trainee, and now as a family physician.
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