Healthy Thyroid Count for Women;

Healthy Thyroid Count for Women

 

Your thyroid is a small gland at the front of your throat. It produces two primary hormones that control the rate at which your body uses energy. This process is known as your metabolism. Your doctor analyzes the levels of three hormones to assess your thyroid function. Too much or too little thyroid hormone can have adverse health effects. Talk to your doctor about your test results.

Thyroxine

Thyroxine, also known as T4, is one of two primary hormones your thyroid produces. Your doctor will order a T4 test to assess this hormone's levels. The typical range for this hormone if you are a healthy adult is 4.5 to 11.2 mcg/dL. Lower than normal levels mean that your thyroid is not making enough hormone, while the opposite is true for higher than normal results.

Triiodothyronine

Triiodothyronine, also known as T3, is the second thyroid hormone your body uses to control metabolism. T3 makes up 20 percent of the thyroid hormone produced, while thyroxine accounts for the remaining 80 percent. However, T3 is four times more potent than T4. Your doctor can order a T3 test to assess this hormone. The normal T3 range is 100 to 200 ng/dL.

TSH

Your pituitary gland -- a pea-sided gland at the your brain's base -- controls the rate at which your thyroid produces hormones. Your doctor will order a thyroid stimulation hormone, or TSH, test to gain further insight into your thyroid health. When your T3 and T4 blood levels are low, TSH signals your thyroid to produce more and when it is high, TSH signals for a reduction. The normal range for this hormone is 0.4 to 4.0 mIU/L.

Abnormal Results

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an auto-immune condition and the most common cause of abnormally low thyroid hormone levels, known as hypothyroidism. When you have this condition, your immune system mistakenly attacks your thyroid tissues, preventing your thyroid from making enough hormones. Graves disease, also an abnormal immune response, is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism, which is abnormally high thyroid levels. A pituitary tumor can also cause your thyroid to produce too much hormone. Thyroid cancer can cause abnormal levels in rare cases.

Effects

Your thyroid system balances a delicate hormone level. Too little thyroid hormone can cause fatigue, depression, hair loss, weight gain and heavy menstrual periods. Too much thyroid hormone can cause frequent bowel movements, restlessness, increased appetite and irregular periods. Your doctor can analyze your test results and determine the best course of action if your results are abnormal.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com