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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.
Blood sample
Venipuncture is the collection of blood from a vein. It is most often done for laboratory testing.
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
The pituitary gland does not produce no...
Hypopituitarism is a condition in which the pituitary gland does not produce normal amounts of some or all of its hormones.
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Overactive thyroid gland
Overactive thyroid gland
Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone. The condition is often called overactive thyroid.
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Underactive thyroid gland
Underactive thyroid gland
Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone. This condition is often called underactive thyroid....
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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
)
Graves disease
Graves disease is an autoimmune disorder that leads to an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism). An autoimmune disorder is a condition that occ...
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T3
thyrotoxicosis
(rare)
Thyrotoxicosis
Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone. The condition is often called overactive thyroid.
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Toxic nodular goiter
Toxic nodular goiter
Toxic nodular goiter involves an enlarged thyroid gland. The gland contains areas that have increased in size and formed nodules. One or more of th...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - 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)
Hashimoto disease
Chronic thyroiditis is caused by a reaction of the immune system against the thyroid gland. It often results in reduced thyroid function (hypothyroi...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - 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.
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.
