Locations Main Campus: Chesterfield, MO 63017   |   Locations
314-434-1500 314-434-1500   |   Contact Us

Multimedia Encyclopedia


 
E-mail Form
Email Results

 
 
Print-Friendly
Bookmarks
bookmarks-menu

T3 test

Triiodothyronine; T3 radioimmunoassay; Toxic nodular goiter - T3; Thyroiditis - T3; Thyrotoxicosis - T3; Graves disease - T3

 

Triiodothyronine (T3) is a thyroid hormone. It plays an important role in the body's control of metabolism (the many processes the body does to function).

A laboratory test can be done to measure the amount of T3 in your blood.

How the Test is Performed

 

A blood sample is needed.

 

How to Prepare for the Test

 

Your health care provider will tell you if you need to stop taking any medicines before the test that may affect your test result. DO NOT stop taking any medicine without first talking to your provider.

Drugs that can increase T3 measurements include:

  • Birth control pills
  • Clofibrate
  • Estrogens
  • Methadone
  • Certain herbal remedies

Drugs that can decrease T3 measurements include:

  • Amiodarone
  • Anabolic steroids
  • Androgens
  • Antithyroid drugs (for example, propylthiouracil and methimazole)
  • Lithium
  • Phenytoin
  • Propranolol

 

How the Test will Feel

 

When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain. Others feel only a prick or stinging. Afterward, there may be some throbbing or a slight bruise. This soon goes away.

 

Why the Test is Performed

 

This test is done to check your thyroid function. Thyroid function depends on the action of T3 and other hormones, including thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and T4.

Sometimes it can be useful to measure both T3 and T4 when evaluating thyroid function.

The total T3 test measures the T3 that is both attached to proteins and floating free in the blood.

Your provider may recommend this test if you have signs of a thyroid disorder, including:

  • The pituitary gland does not produce normal amounts of some or all of its hormone
  • Overactive thyroid gland
  • Underactive thyroid gland

 

Normal Results

 

The range for normal values is 100 to 200 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL) or 1.54 to 3.08 nanomoles per liter (nmol/L).

Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different specimens. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results.

 

What Abnormal Results Mean

 

A higher-than-normal level of T3 may be a sign of:

  • Overactive thyroid gland (for example, Graves disease )
  • T3 thyrotoxicosis (rare)
  • Toxic nodular goiter
  • Taking thyroid medicines or certain supplements (common)
  • Liver disease

A high level of T3 may occur in pregnancy or with the use of birth control pills or estrogen.

A lower-than-normal level may be due to:

  • Severe short-term or some long-term illnesses
  • Thyroiditis (swelling or inflammation of the thyroid gland -- Hashimoto disease is the most common type)
  • Starvation
  • Underactive thyroid gland

 

Risks

 

Veins and arteries vary in size from one person to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.

Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:

  • Excessive bleeding
  • Fainting or feeling lightheaded
  • Hematoma (blood buildup under the skin)
  • Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)

 

 

References

Salvatore D, Davies TF, Schlumberger MJ, Hay ID, Larsen PR. Thyroid physiology and diagnostic evaluation of patients with thyroid disorders. In: Melmed S, Polonsky KS, Larsen PR, Kronenberg HM, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology . 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 11.

Weiss RE, Refetoff S. Thyroid function testing. In: Jameson JL, De Groot LJ, de Kretser DM, et al, eds. Endocrinology: Adult and Pediatric . 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 78.

 

        A Closer Look

         

          Talking to your MD

           

            Self Care

             

              Tests for T3 test

               

               

              Review Date: 2/3/2016

              Reviewed By: Brent Wisse, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology & Nutrition, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

              The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

               
               
               

               

               

              A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.



              Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.