You must know how to take the test for thyroid hormones. Price of thyroid hormone assay

It's not a secret that the thyroid gland is an extremely important part of the endocrine system. It is through its regulation of the basic metabolic processes in the body. And with the slightest suspicion of this or that disease of the body, special tests are needed. Today, many patients are interested in the question of how to pass the test for hormones of the thyroid gland. Where and how is the procedure performed? What is the price of the thyroid hormone test ? Can I decrypt the results myself?

Why do they take blood samples for thyroid hormones?

This study is often used in modern medical practice. A lot of people face daily the appointment of an "analysis for thyroid hormones". What is it and why is it needed?

Such testing allows to assess the activity of the thyroid gland, to determine the presence of diseases or disorders and, of course, to make the correct diagnosis. In fact, the study is used to diagnose two conditions - hyperthyroidism (increased synthesis of hormones) and hypothyroidism (decrease in the number of hormones). After all, if at least one gland does not work properly, it affects the functioning of the entire endocrine system.

Indication for the study

Of course, the analysis is carried out with suspicion of hypo- or hyperthyroidism, since both these states are accompanied by very characteristic symptoms. In addition, indications for the analysis are:

• The presence of goiter.
• Hair loss for no apparent reason.
• Cardiac arrhythmia.
• Slowing down mental, physical or sexual development in children.
• Absence of menstruation.
• Male and female infertility.
• Decreased sex drive, impotence.
• Analyzes are also performed to monitor the effectiveness of therapy for hypothyroidism.
• Indications are certain diseases of the cardiovascular system, which can not be treated by standard methods.
• The study is prescribed for the diagnosis of various autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, dermatomyositis, lupus erythematosus, systemic scleroderma.
• Often the test is carried out by women during pregnancy, as during this period, there are sometimes different health problems.

Thyroid hormone assay: preparation

As for any other study, in this case, some preparation is required. By the way, it is very important, because the reliability of the results depends on it and, accordingly, the correct diagnosis. Of course, the attending physician will talk about how to prepare and how to take. Hormones of the thyroid gland are extremely "capricious" - their level can change under the influence of even small factors. That is why compliance with the following rules is very important. So how correctly to pass the analysis on hormones of a thyroid gland? Preparation includes the following requirements:

• Before taking blood it is not recommended to take drugs that can affect the work of the gland. These drugs include thyreostatics and hormonal drugs. Ideally, blood is taken no sooner than four weeks after the end of the medication. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to cancel medication. If you have to test against the background of therapy, be sure to notify the doctor so that he can make an appropriate correction in the results of the tests.
• Another substance that can affect the gland is iodine. Therefore, if you are taking any medications containing this element (for example, "Jodomarin"), then at least a few days before taking blood it's worth stopping their use. By the way, iodine is contained in many multivitamin preparations. After all, the work of the gland and the amount of hormones it synthesizes depend on the level of iodine, assimilated by its tissues.
• For 1-2 days before blood sampling it is necessary to correct the diet, excluding fatty foods from it. In addition, it is worth giving up alcohol, as this can distort the results of the tests.
• Physical activity also affects the functioning of the thyroid, so 1-2 days before the procedure should avoid physical activity or intense training.
• It's not a secret for anyone that the emotional state also affects the hormonal background, so psychological overexertion is contraindicated.
• On the day of blood sampling it is forbidden to smoke.

How to take an analysis for thyroid hormones?

You can take samples only on an empty stomach, since even a cup of tea can affect the results of the study. That is why clinics usually take blood in the morning, up to eleven hours. At least half an hour before the procedure the patient should spend in a relatively calm physical and emotional state.

How to take an analysis for thyroid hormones? This requires blood from the vein. The fence is conducted according to the generally accepted scheme. First, the medical officer puts a tourniquet on his shoulder, then he treats the skin with an antiseptic, drives the needle into the subcutaneous vein and takes the necessary amount of blood. Samples are sent to the laboratory for further research. The results are usually ready the next day.

On what indicators pay attention?

Everyone knows that the thyroid hormones are determined during a laboratory test. Which substances are important for diagnosis? What do all the abbreviations mean with the form with the results? So, during testing, attention is drawn to the following substances:

• One of the main substances synthesized by the thyroid gland is triiodothyronine, which is designated as T3. This biologically active substance is secreted by specific thyroid cells and performs a lot of important functions. In particular, it controls virtually all oxidation-reduction processes, and also actively participates in the metabolism and growth processes of the body.
• Another hormone produced by the thyroid gland is thyroxine or T4. This substance performs almost the same functions as triiodothyronine. But it is almost ten times more active. Nevertheless, it is extremely important not only the amount of each of the hormones, but also their ratio.
• During the study, the amount of thyroid-stimulating hormone (abbreviated TSH) that is secreted by the pituitary gland of the brain and regulates the synthetic activity of the thyroid gland is determined. In fact sometimes problems are connected not with illness or disease shchitovidki, and with disturbance of a secretion in a pituitary body.
• Another important indicator is antibodies to thyroid peroxidase. Normally, the thyroid gland produces an enzyme - thyroperoxidase, which participates in the synthesis of T3 and T4. But in some diseases (for example, autoimmune processes), the body begins to produce antibodies to its own structures, which is not very good.
• To diagnose autoimmune diseases, the amount of antibodies to thyroglobulin (this substance is the precursor of the main hormones of the thyroid gland) is also important.

What are the normal test results?

If you donate blood to thyroid hormones, then you are probably wondering whether your results are normal, that is, what values are considered the norm. The level of free T3 most often ranges from 2.6 to 5.7 mmol / l. Free T4 should be equal to 9.0-22.0 mmol / l. The thyroid-stimulating hormone should be present in the following amounts: 0.4-4.0 mU / l. As for antibodies to thyroglobulin, their number should not exceed 18 U / ml. The level of antibodies to thyroid peroxidase should be below 5.6 U / ml.

But do not despair if your results do not correspond to the above measurements, since in this case everything is relative. Only the attending physician can correctly decipher the obtained indices and determine the presence of violations. After all, some other factors are important here, including sex, age, the presence of certain diseases, congenital features of the organism, medications taken, and so on.

What is the increased level of hormones?

Now that you have figured out how to take the thyroid hormone test, you should ask what deviations from the norm mean. For example, in some people, the T3 and T4 levels are elevated. Excess thyroid hormones indicate the development of hyperthyroidism.

Such a violation is accompanied by strong metabolic disruptions - the metabolism accelerates, which is accompanied by a large loss of weight, increased heart rate, increased sweating, trembling in the body, etc. Of course, to determine the exact cause of hyperthyroidism, the doctor will need additional studies.

If it is a question of increasing the level of antibodies to enzymes and hormone precursors, then this may indicate the presence of some autoimmune diseases.

The level of hormones is lower - is it dangerous?

The drop in the level of hormones is often observed against a background of chronic deficiency of iodine, although there may be other causes. In any case, hypothyroidism is dangerous for human health.

This disorder is accompanied by a slowing down of metabolic processes. People often complain of lethargy, drowsiness, slow heartbeats, overweight, lower body temperature. In any case, it is worthwhile to understand that for an accurate diagnosis the doctor will need additional tests, including ultrasound of the gland, etc.

Why donate blood during pregnancy?

Quite often doctors prescribe an analysis for thyroid hormones during pregnancy. And there are good reasons for this. After all, literally from the first days of pregnancy, the thyroid gland function changes. The laying of organs of the fetus, their growth and development - all this is to some extent provided by the activity of thyroxin and triiodothyronine. Normally, the production of hormones in the first months of pregnancy increases by almost 30-50%.

But, unfortunately, the thyroid disease is one of the most frequent complications at this time. All chronic disorders begin to exacerbate, as well as those diseases that the woman did not even suspect (many thyroid diseases in the initial stages proceed without any visible symptoms). According to statistics, about 45% of pregnant women face certain disorders of the endocrine system. That is why research is so necessary.

Where can I take tests?

If you need to donate blood to thyroid hormones, then surely you are interested in the question of where you can go through this study. In most clinics such tests do not. It is best to ask this question from the attending physician - he knows exactly where it is possible to undergo the procedure in your city. Most often, the tests are carried out in hospitals, clinics, as well as private medical centers and private laboratories.

How much does a laboratory test cost?

How much does it cost to donate blood to thyroid hormones? This is another interesting question. The cost depends on many factors. To begin with, it is worth noting that the price of thyroid hormone analysis may fluctuate depending on how many substances you need to examine. And, of course, the price policy of the institution itself influences the cost. A comprehensive blood test can cost about 1,500 to 5,000 rubles.