Health Desk, TomsHospital.com

If you've had thyroid testing, you may see T3 listed alongside TSH and Free T4. But what is T3? What do high and low T3 levels mean? And when is a T3 test useful? Here's a simple explanation. What Is T3? T3 stands for triiodothyronine, one of the main hormones produced by the thyroid gland. T3 is an important thyroid hormone involved in regulating your body's metabolism, energy use, heart rate and other functions. Although the thyroid produces T3 directly, much of the body's T3 is produced...

If you've had thyroid testing, you may see Free T4 (FT4) listed alongside TSH. But what is Free T4? What does a high or low result mean? And why is it usually interpreted together with TSH? Here's a simple explanation. What Is T4? T4, or thyroxine, is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland. It plays an important role in regulating your body's metabolism and many other functions. Most T4 in your blood is attached to proteins. The portion that is not attached is called Free T4. Free T4 is the...

If you've had a thyroid blood test, one of the first numbers you may see is TSH. But what does TSH mean? What can a high or low TSH level indicate? And why is TSH commonly tested when checking thyroid function? Here's a simple explanation. What Is TSH? TSH stands for Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone. TSH is produced by the pituitary gland and helps regulate the thyroid gland. The thyroid produces hormones that affect many processes in the body, including metabolism, heart rate and energy use....