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What is a T4 test?
1. T4 is a hormone that plays a role in several body functions, including
growth and metabolism.
2. There are two kinds of T4 tests: a total T4 test and a free T4 test.
3. A number of drugs can interfere with your T4 levels, so tell your doctor
what medications youre taking before a T4 test.
Your thyroid produces a hormone called thyroxine, which is known as T4. This
hormone plays a role in several of your bodys functions, including growth and
metabolism.
Some of your T4 is called free T4. This means that it hasnt bonded to protein in
your blood. Most of the T4 in your body does bond with protein.
There are two kinds of T4 tests: a total T4 test and a free T4 test. A total T4 test
measures the T4 that has bonded to protein and the free T4. A free T4 test
measures only the free T4 in your blood.
weight changes
difficulty sleeping or insomnia
anxiety
fatigue and weakness
intolerance to cold
sensitivity to light
menstrual irregularity
Sometimes, your doctor may also order a test for T3 and/or TSH. The
TSH, or thyroid-stimulating hormone, stimulates your thyroid to release
both T3 and T4. Performing one or both of these other tests may help
your doctor gain a better understanding of your thyroid problem.
In some cases, your doctor may perform one or more of these tests to
help assess whether a known thyroid issue is improving.
Pregnancy can affect your T4 levels. If your T4 levels are abnormal but youre
pregnant, your doctor may order further testing. For example, the levels of T3 in
your blood may help your doctor understand your situation.
Elevated T4 levels may indicate hyperthyroidism. They may also indicate other
thyroid problems, such as thyroiditis or toxic multinodular goiter.
Other abnormal results may indicate:
Too much iodine can raise your T4 levels. Because X-ray dye includes iodine, a
recent X-ray involving dye may also raise your T4 test results.
You might also develop primary hypothyroidism for a number of other reasons.
If you had hyperthyroidism (or overactive thyroid), your treatment may have
left you with hypothyroidism. A common treatment for hyperthyroidism is
radioactive iodine. This treatment destroys the thyroid. A less common
treatment for hyperthyroidism involves the surgical removal of part or all of the
thyroid. Both can result in hypothyroidism.
If you had thyroid cancer, your doctor would have surgically removed your
thyroid, or part of it, to treat the cancer.
fatigue
lethargy
sensitivity to cold
depression
muscle weakness
Because the thyroid hormones control the metabolism of all your cells, you
might also gain weight.
If your hypothyroidism is extremely severe, you might fall into a coma, known
as a myxedema coma. This is a life-threatening condition.
Your doctor will generally use a blood test to check your T4 and TSH levels. If
your thyroid is malfunctioning, your pituitary gland will produce more TSH in
an attempt to get your thyroid to produce more T3 and T4. An elevated TSH
level can indicate to your doctor that you have a thyroid problem.
Youll continue to take your thyroid medication throughout your life. Your
medication replaces the thyroid hormones that your thyroid is unable to
produce. It does not correct your thyroid disease. This means that if you stop
taking it, your symptoms will return.
Some medications and foods can interfere with your medications. Make sure to
tell your doctor about all medications that you take, including over-the-counter
drugs. Some vitamins and supplements, especially those for iron and calcium,
can also interfere with your treatment. You should talk with your doctor about
any supplements youre taking. You may also need to cut back on eating
anything made from soy and some high-fiber foods.
Foods to Avoid
Many common foods and supplements contain compounds that interfere with
thyroid functions. In general, its best to avoid the following foods and
supplements:
Soy: Studies suggest that phytoestrogens in soybeans and soy-rich foods may
inhibit the activity of an enzyme that makes the thyroid hormones. One study
found that women who consumed soy supplements were three times more likely
to develop hypothyroidism.
Iodine-rich foods: Some forms of hypothyroidism are caused by a lack of
sufficient iodine. In such cases, using iodized salt or iodine-enriched foods can
be beneficial. But eating too much iodine can have the opposite effect and
suppress thyroid gland activity. Check with your doctor before taking
supplements.
Iron and calcium supplements: Taking iron or calcium supplements can also
change the effectiveness of many thyroid medications.
High-fiber foods: Although a high-fiber diet is usually recommended, too
much fiber may interfere with the absorption of thyroid medicines.
Certain vegetables: Cruciferous vegetables that are rich in fiber like broccoli,
cabbage, spinach, kale, and Brussels sprouts can inhibit thyroid drug absorption.
Reducing the amounts of such produce in your diet may help.
Caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol can also influence the effectiveness of thyroid
medicine. Ask your doctor for tips on how to regulate or reduce your
consumption.
Foods to Eat
Nutrient-rich foods that improve your health may also benefit your thyroid
gland, including: