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Thyroid Function Tests
Thyroid function tests are currently the most accurate way to diagnose and manage thyroid disorders. Your doctor will interpret the blood test results, together with your symptoms and how you feel, to reach a diagnosis to manage your treatment.
The most common thyroid function tests
- TSH - Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
- FT4 - Free T4 (the active part of thyroxine)
- FT3 - Free T3 (the active part of triiodothyronine)
Other blood tests
- Thyroid antibodies - to check the cause and severity of the thyroid disorder
- Thyroglobulin and calcitonin - to monitor people with thyroid cancer
Typical reference ranges for normal thyroids
| Test | From | To | Units |
| TSH | 0.4 | 4.5 | mU/L (milliunits per litre) |
| FT4 | 9.0 | 25.0 | pmol/L (picomoles per litre) |
| FT3 | 3.5 | 7.8 | pmol/L (picomoles per litre) |
These ranges are only a guide. The reference range for FT4 in particular does currently vary between methods and so any 'typical' reference range quoted will be subject to method and local interpretation
Test results outside the reference range
A high SH level with a low FT4 level: Hypothyroidism (under-active thyroid)
A low TSH level with a high FT4 level and a high FT3 level: Hyperthyroidism (over-active thyroid)
Abnormal TSH levels together with normal FT4 levels indicate you may be at risk of developing a thyroid disorder
A low TSH levels together with a low FT4 levels can indicate a disorder of the pituitary gland
Management of thyroid disorders
If you have a diagnosed thyroid disorder, thyroid function tests will
- check that your treatment is working
- help to fine-tune your treatment
Other points
- Treatment aims to get your TSH levels back within the reference range
- Ask your doctor for a blood test if you have symptoms of a thyroid disorder
- You should have an annual blood test if you have had previous treatment for an overactive thyroid
- If you have a diagnosed thyroid disorder you should have a blood test
- once a year, or more often if your doctor advises
- in early pregnancy or if you are planning a pregnancy
It is well recognised that thyroid problems often run in families and if family members are unwell they should be encouraged to discuss with their own GP whether thyroid testing is warranted
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News
12 April 2013 Helping to raise funds for the BTF
Monkey is a car insurance comparison site that makes donations to charities when policies are taken out. They have donated £300 to the BTF and if you sign up for a policy with them using this link they will make a £10 donation to the BTF
Notice of temporary unavailability of Eltroxin tablets
11 March 2013
Mercury Pharmaceuticals may have been supplying your thyroid medication in two forms; Eltroxin or levothyroxine tablets. Both are very nearly identical. The Eltroxin tablets are likely to be temporarily unavailable in the near future. This may mean that the pharmacist will give you levothyroxine tablets instead at exactly the same strength (after checking with your doctor). Switching to levothyroxine tablets is very unlikely to cause any problems as the two forms are switching to levothyroxine tablets is v unlikely to cause any problems as the two forms are the same and are produced by the same manufacturer. If you have any problems please let your doctor know. We apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause. Please contact Mercury Pharma Medical Information department in case of any queries:
Tel: 08700 70 30 33
Email:
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Rock up And Sing Concert
Congratulations to BTF who celebrated their 21st birthday with a stylish and uplifting show at Harrogate's beautiful Royal Hall on Sunday 24 March. The local rock choirs from Rock Up & Sing performed a number of songs which the audience clearly loved. By the time we got to 'Time Warp' and 'Dancing Queen' everyone was on their feet! We are very grateful to the many local businesses and individuals who supported us with generous donations to our raffle and to all those who gave their time and efforts to make the night such a success.
30 December 2012
Many congratulations to BTF Patron Josef Craig who won BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year earlier this month, and has been awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours List.
12 November
MHRA suspends licence for Teva levothyroxine 100 micgrogram tablets http://www.mhra.gov.uk/NewsCentre/Pressreleases/CON143688
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The Human Medicines Regulations 2012
The Human Medicines Regulations 2012 came into force on 14 August. The regulations have introduced some policy changes
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Soy? Coconut Oil? Kelp? Don’t know what to believe? False claims, quick fixes and promises exposed here.
British Thyroid Association British Thyroid Association - medical professionals encouraging the highest standards in patient care and research.
British Association of Endocrine and Thyroid Surgeons - the representative body of British Surgeons who have a specialist interest in surgery of the endocrine glands (thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal)