What does TK mean in the blood test for hormones?

In the results of analyzes on hormones, among all other indicators, there is T3. This designation means triiodothyronine - one of the hormones of the thyroid gland.

Physiological role of TK

Triiodothyronine together with another thyroid hormone, thyroxine, designated as T4, is synthesized in the tissues of the thyroid gland. The place of its formation is microscopic vesicles, follicles filled with gelatinous substance, colloid. Of the thyroglobulin protein contained in the colloid, T3 and T4 are formed by specific enzymes. These hormones differ by only one atom of iodine in the molecule. T3 is formed from T4 by detaching the "extra" iodine atom. Its activity is several times higher than T4, although the blood content is 3-4 times less.

T3 stimulates metabolic processes. Under its action, there is an intensive cleavage of organic substances with the release of energy, memory improves, the strength of the heartbeats increases, and arterial pressure is maintained at the proper level. It is noteworthy that in our body T3 is in two forms - in free and in plasma-related blood plasma. The hormone is delivered to organs and tissues in a connected form. Then this connection is broken, and the free hormone begins to act.

The amount of free and bound hormone is a common T3. In the T3 assay, the total is 58-159 ng / dL. The share of free TK in the total is small - only a fraction of a percent. But this, free T3 provides all the physiological effects inherent in the thyroid gland. Free T3 in the assay is measured in other units, and its value is 2.6 - 5.7 pmol / L.

Causes of changes in analyzes

An increase or decrease in T3 in a blood test is most often indicative of thyroid disorders, including inflammation (thyroiditis), benign tumors (toxic adenoma), or malignant tumors (cancer) of the thyroid. It is characteristic that the same disease can occur with both increase and decrease in T3 content. Much depends on the form and stage of this disease.

Diseases of the thyroid gland are by no means the only reason that the T3 level is beyond the norm. Among the possible causes - diseases, traumas and brain tumors, severe toxicosis (gestosis) of pregnant women, poisoning, stress, constant intake of certain drugs, mainly - iodine-containing.

The change in T3 content is accompanied by such manifestations as:

• Increase or decrease in body weight;
• Uniform or nodal enlargement in the size of the thyroid gland;
• Fluctuation of blood pressure and palpitations;
• General retardation, or vice versa, increased emotional excitability;
• Violation of the stomach and intestines;
• In women - menstrual cycle disorders;
• In children - a lag in mental and physical development (cretinism).

"The culprit" of these manifestations is most often the thyroid gland, in which T3 is elevated or decreased.

Definition of T3 in the network of clinics Niarmedik

Laboratories Niarmedic equipped with modern equipment. Thanks to this, our diagnostics differ in the accuracy of the results. 2-3 days before taking the test, it is desirable to stop taking hormonal drugs and medications containing iodine. On the eve it is not recommended to smoke, to drink alcohol. The procedure for taking blood from a vein is carried out in the morning on an empty stomach. The blood test T3 in Niarmedic is taken in any convenient for the patient's day.